Raises Amount Of Money Orders

RAISES AMOUNT OF MONEY ORDERS

Swindler at Work in this Part of the State

HE GOT AN ORDER HERE

Which He Raised from $2 to $25 and Had it Cashed in Jackson

A postoffice swindler has been at work in this city. He gives the name of Carl Zepp. He is a low set and heavily built man and gives the appearance of being a farm hand.

Last Friday he appeared at the postoffice and got a money order made payable to "Johne Zepp," at Jackson for $25 dollars, he having raised the amount of the original order from $2 to $25 and changed the word "Jenison" to read Jackson. The order was cashed at Jackson by a merchant of that city.

How the scheme is worked is this. By an application of acid, probably, or some other means which does not destroy or discolor the paper, the amount of the order is erased and the sum raised from $2 to $25. The order is then taken to the city where the payee named in the order is supposed to reside, and after closing hours at the postoffice is presented for payment to some merchant. A postoffice order is generally considered by business men as good as greenbacks, and the fellow has no trouble in chasing them at their face, after endorsement. Perhaps they go to the bank in the daily deposit, and are accepted there for the time being or until they show up at the postoffice for final cashing. Then it is discovered that the "advise sheet" for this particular order for $25, which the issuing office sends to the paying office, has not arrived, and it does not arrive for obvious reasons. The bank reports to the merchant, and finally it is agreed that the order has been raised, and that someone is swindling.