Blackmailing the wives of business men is carried on to quite an
extent, and it is astonishing how many of them will pay blackmailers
to hush up something that really amounts to nothing if the game were
exposed. If you refuse to pay blackmail, that usually ends it. They
want money, and when they fail to get it, the matter drops.
The blackmailer operates on women in this manner: A man has an
accomplice, a woman who passes as, and probably is, his wife. She is
well educated, of refined appearance, and dresses fashionably and
well. The two work together. As the summer season comes on the wives
of business men, who cannot leave business themselves, start for
eastern resorts and watering places, the woman blackmailer joins the
exodus. She knows the people who are wealthy, and these she spots. She
watches their every movement, and if the slightest indiscretion is
committed it does not escape her eye. She knows the names, business,
and homes of all the gentlemen they meet, and when and where they meet
them.
The season ended, the facts she has obtained are in the hands of the
male partner, and he studies them. Selecting his victim, he arranges
to meet her, as if by chance, usually in one of the leading retail
establishments of the city where she resides. He approaches and
addresses her with the greatest cordiality, expressing surprise at the
unexpected meeting. She is generally surprised, and, of course, fails
to recognize him. Then he uses the name of one of the gentlemen she
has met in the east, recalls who introduced them, where the meeting
occurred, and, in fact, all about it. Then she recalls it, or thinks
she does, and it ends in her inviting him to call at her home. Here is
the web quite complete.
He calls, and, of course, when her husband is out, and may repeat the
call several times. Then he springs the trap. During one of his visits
a note arrives for the lady threatening disclosures unless paid, say,
$100. Even if innocent of any wrong, the woman is alarmed and shows
the blackmailer the note. He appears greatly alarmed also, declares
that he is a married man, and that to have his visits known would ruin
him. He argues that the money would better be paid. He has only $40
about him, but if the hostess will advance the balance of course she
shall lose nothing. She does it, and is thereafter in the power of the
blackmailer.
"BOGUS DETECTIVE" GAME.
A scamp, claiming to be a detective, often visits a reputable business
man, having gained knowledge of indiscretion early in life. To hush
it up they will demand from time to time money, under threats of
exposure, thus causing the person to commit crime after crime to
satisfy the heartless leech, who never stops until his victim is
ruined.
In a similar manner does the alleged detective blackmail a man who has
committed a crime and who has been imprisoned for it. Upon his release
the man may feel like reforming and becoming a good citizen if given
the chance, but this the detective will not permit, for as soon as
he notices the ex-convict he will say, "Look here, young fellow, you
know my name and address, and when I am in of an evening I want you
to come and see me or I'll have you run in." The fear of being "run
in" forces the man who has a desire to do right to steal to satisfy
the blackmailing demands of this corrupt class of people. If the
ex-convict obtains employment he is worked in a similar manner, under
threats of exposure to his employer, and so forced to steal, and then
the smart detective will exclaim, "There is no reformation in that
fellow; I knew he would steal. He will never stop."