Misfortunes of a double (5 photos)

It seems surprising and somewhat unsettling when you meet a person who is incredibly similar to yourself or someone from acquaintances. But at the same time, he is a complete stranger. And sometimes these similarities can play a cruel joke.





A vivid example of such misfortunes is the story that happened in at the end of the 19th century with Alfred Beck, a resident of London. The man had to for several years to prove to the world that he is he, and not the person whom he was considered.

Where are you, lord?



Beginning in late 1894, Scotland Yard began to fill up. But not snow: the police were bombarded with statements from women who complained about a presentable man with a noble gray hair at the temples. He met ladies by introducing himself as Lord Wilton or Lord Salisbury, began to court, invited on a trip on a yacht or in guests to the family estate, demonstrating far-reaching plans.

When the half-melted lady was ready for preparations, asked for a mere trifle - to borrow a ring, bracelet or watch in order to pick up according to the size of the beloved, something more corresponding to her beauty and expensive. And forever disappeared from the life of a disappointed failed bride.





The swindler was taken on the street, quite by accident. He walked around without touching anyone. At the request to proceed to the station for Identification calmly agreed. Introduced himself as Alfred Beck. And in response to the claims of the embittered lady present there, he calmly stated that has no honor to know her and sees for the first time.

But other women also pulled in dense rows for identification. And then Beck realized that he was seriously hit.

twenty five again



Alfred Beck

The unfortunate man spent 7 whole years behind bars, unsuccessfully proving that he is neither a lord nor a swindler, spending on it and so not too much solid savings. When the term of imprisonment expired, the man left gates of the prison and wandered along the street, realizing that the vicious stain of shame did not wash off your reputation until the end of days.

On April 15, 1904, a woman saw him and joyfully screamed that she knew who he was - Lord Salisbury, a month ago borrowed her jewelry, and lost along with them in unknown direction.

Beck got sick. He almost fainted. Situation untwisted according to the previous scheme: the precinct, the accusations, the crowd of victims, unanimously accusing Beck and identifying him as a charming swindler.

Alfred did not even have time to earn money for lawyers. fit was to hang himself, but during this time in the English justice system something has changed. And the judge, despite the enthusiasm of the jury, decided to wait with sentencing.

Isn't this a miracle?



Apparently, Madame Fate, who has been looking indifferently all this time the misfortunes of the unfortunate Alfred, became interested in history and decided intervene. 10 days have passed since the court session, and the police they took a man who tried to sell the rings he stole from two aristocrats. The jewels were conspicuous, and the ladies word for word repeated the story of the robbery. The detainee was brought to the station. Everyone was stunned: the robber looked exactly like the unfortunate Beck, only He was a little older and more heavily built.

All the witnesses, as if it were necessary, instantly changed their shoes and pointed to the newcomer. Just as confidently as Beck had been “identified” before. Under pressure of evidence and testimony to John Smith (that was the unoriginal name of the criminal) had nowhere to go. And he gave confessions.

Beck was released. In the summer of 1904, Alfred was rehabilitated and received a compensation payment of £5,000. And his business became the starting point for the creation of the Court of Appeal, one of the tasks which was a warning of such a plan of terrible judicial errors.

Have you ever dealt with doppelgangers?