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View Full Version : ‘Perfect inn guests’ swindled proprietors, police say


Marrigan
01-12-2010, 09:58 AM
Not the kind of crime we normally see here. I suspect there may be a sad story behind these elderly swindlers.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/01/12/perfect_guests_defrauded_series_of_mass_innkeepers _police_say/?page=1

They lingered over breakfast, raving about the homemade granola and chatting amiably with other guests at the richly appointed 19th-century bed-and-breakfast. They kept their room spotless, whiled away afternoons over books and brownies, and entertained their hosts with amusing stories.

But that was before 79-year-old Benjamin and 72-year-old Jane Wolff allegedly skipped out on the $3,600 bill, and before the Wolffs, who were arraigned in Concord District Court Friday on charges of defrauding an innkeeper, were implicated in similar swindles in Rockport, Newburyport, and Waltham. Authorities say they preyed on proprietors’ trust and bounced checks for thousands of dollars at inns catering to a well-heeled clientele.

samEgiG
01-12-2010, 10:21 AM
Why? Because they're elderly?

Young criminals often grow into old criminals. Maybe I'm just cynical but I don't believe that being 'old' makes people good.


JMO

Ladygator
01-12-2010, 10:23 AM
Sounds like the Shoemaker's in "Dirty Dancing'.:laugh:

withay
01-14-2010, 03:05 AM
Why? Because they're elderly?

Young criminals often grow into old criminals. Maybe I'm just cynical but I don't believe that being 'old' makes people good.


JMO

I agree with you. It took me a while to learn that young cons usually turn into old cons. Age very seldom changes someone's basic values and personality.

Details
01-14-2010, 03:35 AM
Yep - just con artists. I worked in a jewelry store where we got taken by a very nice old lady shopping for a present for her grandson. Chatted, spent time, discussed the item, so nice. Gave us a check, fiddling over this and that, strolled out - then the person taking the check noticed a bit of missing info, the check is called in, is no good, address and phone all fake.

Old just means you've lived awhile.

birdwatch
01-14-2010, 11:14 AM
Why? Because they're elderly?

Young criminals often grow into old criminals. Maybe I'm just cynical but I don't believe that being 'old' makes people good.


JMO It would be interesting to know a little more of their history - besides being convicted of a similar act in June. They've probably been cons for a very long time.