Eureka Reporter | 1906-05-04 | Page 4 | Swindlers in Smyrna

SWINDLERS IN SMYRNA english and firms taken by a band of shrewd operators aflfe 3 illustrated in the case of ameri can and english firms dealing with a band of swindlers recently operating from smyrna the matter says the washington star has been brought to the attention of the state depart ment only after swindles amounting to something over 50 had been worked on english firms while the amount taken out of america has not yet been computed the operation of the swindlers was simple and effective they advertised and sent out hundreds of circular let to importing houses both here and in europe offering various mer chandise oils hides wool and dried fruits at much less than the market quotations many of the importing firms here and abroad b t at the bait and sent orders joining bank credits tor as I 1 much as 90 per cent of the value ot the goods the goods were shipped in due course and the money collected but when they arrived the consign ments yere found to be totally differ ent from what had been ordered the finest woolen fleece would prove to be filthy woolen rags choice smyrna figs would be the last refuse of the packing houses and so on the mat ter was placed in the hands of the local consuls and on the r complaint some of the swindlers were arrested while the others fled but the has adversely affected the ot many reputable houses in ohp levant