The 'Green Goods' Trap Catches the Prominent
Federal authorities warn that soliciting counterfeit money through the mail is a criminal offense, catching many high-status professionals in their web.
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Assistant Thomas of the post office department has ruled that parties sending through the mails for counterfeit money violate the 'green goods act' and incur the penalty of a fine of not more than $500 and imprisonment for not more than eighteen months. Inquiry at the office of Inspector J. H. Johnson developed the fact that the 1,000 names in the possession of the office included a great number of prominent men. Leading physicians, lawyers, prominent professional and business men all over the United States are known to be included. It is also stated that letters applying for bogus money written by at least one ex-congressman, a candidate for governor, and many Federal and civil officers are in the hands of the authorities.
“Inquiry at the office of Inspector J. H. Johnson developed the fact that the 1,000 names in the possession of the office included a great number of prominent men.”
The 'Green Goods' scam was a massive 19th-century confidence trick where swindlers sold victims 'genuine counterfeit' bills. It mirrors modern phishing and online fraud schemes, showing that even the most elite in society are often vulnerable to get-rich-quick desperation.
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