637213-1897-Circular-Despatch-with-reference-to-the-so-called-Spanish-Swindle- — Page 3

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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 16TH OCTOBER, 1897.

BRITISH VICE-CONSULATE,

TARRAGONA,

February 1st, 1897.

SIR,

I have the honour of replying to your letter dated January 4th, addressed to ex-Vice-Consul MORGAN.

The subject matter of your communication is known as the "Spanish Swindle," carried on by a gang of persons who for some years have devoted their energies to extracting sums of money from foreigners.

The system employed varies in detail, but the general plan is as follows:-The writer is a frien of the "maternal relative" who has died bequeathing papers or valuables to his distant relatives. Since the deceased was a political prisoner, the difficulty of obtaining possession of his effects can only be overcome by the expenditure of money, which the "heirs" are asked to furnish. Sometimes the bait is a daughter, left without guardians, and possessed of wealth.

The matter has been so exposed in England by the police and the public prints that the swindlers are now turning their attention to the Colonies. Two enquiries from Canada were received at this office last September, about which time two of the gang were arrested, and are awaiting trial.

If you have received any documents and care to hand them to me, I would deliver them to the Court, in the endeavour to facilitate the ends of Justice. The documents usually forwarded are entirely false.

Mr. JOSEPH MCAFEE,

159, Paradise Row,

St. John, N.B.

Charles Morgan, Esq.,

Her Britannic Majesty's Vice-Consul,

SIR,

Tarragona, Spain.

I am, &c.,

THOS. ROBINSON,

Br. Vice-Consul.

ST. JOHN, N.B.,

January 4th, 1897.

I have just received the intelligence of the supposed death of a maternal relative of mine, Senor ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ MCAFEE, who, it is said, died in an hospital or prison in Tarragona about the early part of June, from effects of a wound received at the hands of the Spanish police while resisting arrest for some political offence.

The information we have is of the most meagre kind, and lacks confirmation, and we cannot credit that such is the case; still we are naturally anxious as to its reliability, consequently take the liberty of soliciting your kindly aid in the matter by ascertaining if there has been any foundation for the report, and if so, be pleased to ascertain the particulars in connection with same, and also as to what became of his family, whom, I presume, would be with him at the time, and what disposition has been made (if any) with his personal property at the time of his arrest or at his death.

Any information you can furnish will be gratefully appreciated, and, thanking you in advance,

I have, &c.,

JOSEPH MCAFEE,

159, Paradise Row,

Saint John, N.B.,

Canada.