One of the simplest and most effective schemes for hooking new
"suckers" was adopted by a Dearborn street "investment" concern.
This consisted in sending to a prospective victim a check for $100,
made payable to some other man, and accompanied by a brief letter
telling that recipient would find inclosed his weekly dividend on
his investment of $1,000. Of course the marked "sucker" knew nothing
of the deal, and, believing a mistake had been made would return the
check and letter. He at once received in reply an apologetic letter,
stating that the first letter and check had been inserted in the wrong
envelope through the carelessness of a clerk, it having been the
intention to mail to the recipient a circular instead of another man's
check for dividends. It was enough. Ten per cent a week was not to be
resisted. The "sucker" almost invariably opened negotiations on his
own initiative and was landed.