Indianapolis Sun in Indianapolis, Indiana

Utah Fraud: English nobleman duped Mormon leaders

In Salt Lake City a British scammer named Hope used forged letters and a fictitious British American Securities Limited to solicit funds from church leaders and businessmen. He claimed backing from Lords Rothschild and others, promising large loans and investments totaling over 20 million dollars. He targeted President Joseph F. Smith and local figures, pressing for financing of the Inter-Mountain Consolidated Railroad and other ventures while forged signatures and fake stock swindled victims.