Sydney People Duped (Press, 2 May 1919)
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Summary: Sydney People Duped (Press, 2 May 1919)
A young woman from Sydney recently gained notoriety for her elaborate deception, posing as a French lady to con several prominent individuals. Released from Long Bay prison on probation, the woman, despite not being conventionally attractive, was described as clever and charming. She fabricated a story in which she claimed to be a French girl engaged to an Australian soldier stationed in France, and pretended to have just arrived in Sydney on the ship Niagara. To further her deceit, she visited a family in Neutral Bay, claiming to have left her luggage with friends and fabricating tales about her noble lineage and her role as a motor ambulance driver in France. To support her narrative, she showcased a medal, purporting it to be the Médaille de Péronne, and captivated her hosts, leading them to host a tea party in her honour. As she mingled with society ladies who attempted to converse in French, she claimed to be more comfortable in English, causing some embarrassment for those around her. The impostor cleverly approached solicitors, claiming her luggage was lost and persuading them to lend her money, assuring them that she was known to the police. The solicitors, believing her story, were led to think she was a genuine client, which added credibility to her fabrications. Upon further deception, she even charmed the brother of a well-known Sydney man, prompting him to spend money on her after hearing her story of a promised engagement. Her downfall began when she was expected to meet a woman freshly returned from France. When this woman conversed in French, the impostor struggled to respond convincingly, leading to suspicions about her identity. After being challenged about her claims regarding the Médaille de Péronne, her story began to unravel. She fled but failed to escape the consequences of her actions. Later, the woman deceived a doctor into believing she was engaged to his brother, but her ruse was eventually discovered. She was subsequently apprehended and returned to prison to serve her sentence. The case has drawn parallels with past New Zealand impostors, reigniting interest in the exploits of individuals who fabricate identities and stories for personal gain.
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