Episode description
News of the Times Episode 153 | 1800's
The World of the Victorian Scam Artist: Wicked Wednesdays
Although scam artists have been around since time immemorial, The Victorian era the rise of various types of scam artists, fraudsters, and beggars. With the divide between rich and poor at an extreme level, individuals used various tactics to exploit the vulnerabilities of their targets and make money through deception.
In today’s episode we look specifically at the Victorian version of the 21st century email phishing and scams: the begging letter and its enormous success at the time.
These letters were typically written by individuals claiming to be in dire circumstances or facing some sort of tragedy. They would appeal to the recipient's sympathy and generosity, asking for financial assistance. Social investigators of the time placed the fraud perpetrated by the begging letter industry into the millions.
We take a look at this trade, the London Mendicity Society and some notables who were swindled, including Charles Dickens in the World of the Victorian Scam Artist.
Hosted by Robin Coles.
#NewsofTheTimes #VictorianCrimeStories #HistoricalCrimeStories #charlesdickens #mendicitysociety #victorianscams
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