Racket Squad in Action #5

In "Spirit Post Office," the cunning Swami Durbar and his partner Bisco attempt to exploit Mrs. Witherby’s grief with a fraudulent séance-based scam, claiming to deliver messages from her late nephew—until Dr. Neff and Inspector O'Malley uncover the deception before the con can take hold.

A smooth-talking swindler convinces Marty Dunn, who runs a service station, to buy "magic pills" that supposedly let him drive fifty miles on a dime by mixing them with water in his gas tank—a scheme that leaves Marty's car completely dead. Years later, Marty spots the con man's car on a used lot and finally uncovers the real trick behind the swindle.

A young immigrant fresh off the boat seeks out a man named Max Twill to deliver diamonds and collect payment, but instead encounters a smooth-talking stranger who promises her far more than the original deal—launching her into a dangerous con. When a pawnshop owner and an art appraiser become entangled in an elaborate scheme involving a stolen painting, the Racket Squad must race to catch a gang of swindlers before they slip away. This 1953 crime story shows how greed and desperation make perfect prey for con artists working the "just off the boat" racket.

When a bus accident leaves a man named J.B. Bates severely injured, insurance investigator Walt Henley moves quickly to settle what appears to be a straightforward claim—until a troubling pattern emerges at an industry convention. As Henley compares notes with fellow claim agent Ray Alden, they realize the same suspicious witnesses keep appearing at different accidents, and the victims always seem to know exactly how much to ask for. Now Henley and the police must work together to expose the con before "Broadway" Barton can cash in on another payday.

A hotel doorman works a sleight-of-hand con on an arriving guest, using a five-dollar bill and quick change to pocket an easy profit. This 1953 crime tale breaks down how the scam works—and why it leaves someone out of pocket.