Bogus Bonds from Eastern Europe

Below are listed eight images transmitted to U.S. dealers by a source in Eastern Europe trying to sell 1934 U.S. They were transmitted as documentation of the offered bonds. Treasury bonds that seem obviously fraudulent. Just read the words, they are gibberish, and make no sense whatsoever. For example on the Bank Deposit: "The United States of America issued dollar through out the world notes is legal tender for all... The bank shall be issued in denomination."

Some of the grammar is incomplete, while others sentences are run on. It is obviously written by someone with some understanding of English who is trying to imitate the language on currency to make it sound official. It is extremely unlikely that this wording would be released in a government publication, even in 1934.

The U.S. government would never circulate a high grade engraved bond that imitates currency. It is almost certain that it would be against the law. All the images of pages with writing are from U.S. currency. In particular, the dollar sign looks extracted from something else. There is no other U.S. bond remotely like this one.

Clues, but certainly not proof for those considering buying items like this, that they are phony are:

• The scanned images are all very low quality.
• Why would a fairly recent government bond not have been seen previously in Scripophily or by bank note collectors?
• The grammar.
• The amout of money to be put up.
• The sellor is not a reputable, known dealer.
• Did they really have ZIP codes in 1934?

Be careful...There are a lot of unscrupulous people getting their first taste of "scamming for dollars" in Eastern Europe.