Handkerchief Switch

A man is seeking a hotel or rooming house, he can’t read or write and asks for your help. He is either a seaman or visitor from another state settling matters of a deceased relative. He shows a large sum of money and offers to pay for your assistance. Another man will approach, and caution the stranger to put the money in a bank. The newcomer says the hotel sought is demolished, but he knows of a room. The seaman does not trust banks, and suggests you hold his money until he gets the room. You tell him to put the money in a bank. He says he doesn’t trust banks, but if you prove you can make a withdrawal, he would put his money in a bank. He insists you hold the money. He gives you his money tied in a kerchief and begs you to be careful. The second man suggests you place your money in the kerchief for safety.

The seaman opens the kerchief and puts your money in with his and ties it up. He will show you how to carry it, under the arm or in the bosom. He may open his jacket or shirt and insert his hand with the kerchief, at this time switching the kerchief with another identical one. The strangers leave and you examine the handkerchief only to find you have pieces of newspaper. You have given your money away.

Spanish Handkerchief Switch

A Spanish speaking person is looking for a specific lawyer or real estate operator. He then relates one of the following stories:

His father is dying in South America. Years ago his father worked for a rich man in the United States. When the rich man died, the father found a package containing a large amount of money. The father stole this money and returned to South America where he invested the money wisely and became wealthy. Now that he is dying he sends his son to America to donate the money to charity so that he may die with a clear conscience; or
His father or employer is dying in South America. Years ago a daughter ran away to America. The daughter died in childbirth and now this man is sent to pay the hospital bill, have Masses, and give money to charity so that the old man may die in peace, not owing anything.
He has in his possession a winning Lottery Ticket…

A second person passes and one of the above stories is related to him. He says the lawyer is a crook. The first man must return to South America the same day, before his father dies. He offers the lawyer’s fee to complainant and the second man if they will help him disperse the money. However, he stipulates they must prove they are trustworthy by showing they have money of their own. The second man leaves and returns in a short time with money of his own. Complainant is accompanied to the bank so he can make a withdrawal to show he is trustworthy. After complainant obtains his money, there are two ways of separating the complainant from it:

The first man says he feels ill and asks complainant to go to the drug store for some medication (or complainant is sent for paper to make a document to disperse the money). When complainant returns, both subjects are gone with the complainant’s money; or
The first man wants complainant to hold money to be donated. The money is usually placed in a cosmetic bag or a handkerchief, along with complainant’s money. The complainant is shown how to carry the parcel. When the complainant opens it at a later time, he finds either newspaper or play money as a switch was made when complainant was shown how to carry the money.

Both male and female Spanish confidence operators participate in the above confidence operation.