Only a downright fool or egotist can become the victim of this scheme.
He deserves to lose whatever he has if he is foolish enough to be
taken in. The only way to protect yourselves against the work of these
thieves is to mind your own business.
The new panel and blackmail swindle called the "Photographic Catch"
is one by which dupes are frightened into paying hush-money, and
otherwise putting themselves in the hands of unscrupulous and
designing people.
The old panel game has been brought up to date and is being worked
vigorously. This new swindle is one of the coolest "bluffs" ever
attempted to be worked upon an unsuspecting person.
The victim selected by the coterie of choice spirits who work this
fraud is always a married man. The blackmailers learn about his
habits, and if his wife and family have removed to the country they
immediately set about landing him in their net. If the family remains
in town the swindlers spot their man and wait until his wife and
children go to the country or seashore, leaving him to "work himself
to death" in the bad, wicked city.
The bait used is a handsome young woman. She soon finds an opportunity
to attract the attention of the victim, who is always a business man,
generally of middle age and wealthy, for upon handsome but penniless
clerks they do not waste a moment of their time.
As soon as the intended victim has taken the bait he is enticed to
some luxuriously furnished apartment. It makes not the slightest
difference how long he may stay there, and it is not even important
what he may do there.
In the course of a day or two the victim is called upon at his place
of business by a tall, well-dressed young man of gentlemanly manners,
but with much firmness. This is one of the conspirators. He secures
a private interview with his unsuspecting victim, and as soon as the
door is closed he proceeds to outline his little game.
He pulls from his pocket an alleged instantaneous photograph
showing the victim in a compromising position, and for the sake of
appearances, make some broad hints about his outraged feelings as a
husband. It very soon develops that these outraged feelings can be
assuaged by the payment of money, and the sum mentioned is always a
large one.