Dr Max's hospitality industry scam about bad cheques

John Conry, an Australian hotelier, shared this clever scam story with me. He had not long taken over a small hotel after a long an illustrious football career. A customer approached him, this particular day, telling how he had followed John's career with great admiration. "Great for the ego" John said. The customer told he would be regularly travelling to the area and would like to reserve a room for three days a month. He also told how he would be bringing about twenty people each afternoon to the Bar. John was delighted with the potential business. He bragged to his wife about the benefits his football career was now bringing in their hotel business.

John's source of new business asked, as he walked out, "Oh, John would you mind cashing a cheque." (Yes, that's how we spell check in Australia). John did so willingly. One hour later a Detective arrived at John's door to warn him about a con man in the area. He perfectly described John's new-found friend and client. John turned a whiter shade of pale as he told what had happened just one hour before. "I knew we were close" said the excited Detective. On request John gladly gave his new-found Detective friend the cheque to help him convict the felon. You've guessed it. The "Detective" was in on the scam. He was the accomplice. John had handed him "the evidence." Naturally it was destroyed. John said he seriously considered making a comeback to football!

P.S. In my latest book, The Hospitality Jungle, I offer the advice, "Trust everyone, but cut the cards."

Good luck, good like and good fun Max Hitchins The Hospitality Doctor