documents · Letter ·1920s

Ransom note (1920s) — extortion attempt during the runaway-to-Greece

Ransom note (1920s) — extortion attempt during the runaway-to-Greece — page 1 of 1
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The fake ransom note from the 1924–25 runaway-to-Greece episode. While the brothers Takis and John Lazare were actually in Greece on forged passports of their own making, an opportunist sent Lazaros and Eftyhia a ransom note demanding payment for the boys’ return. The note is part of the same period of NYC newspaper notices and Greek-consulate correspondence the family was juggling while frantically trying to locate the boys.

A piece of family documentary detail that exists precisely because Aline retold the story to Alex in May 2026.