I would like some help with this one.
I read a story a long time ago in Ripley's believe it or not.... True Ghost stories, by gold key comics. (Yes early fodder for ghost sleuthing and true crime. LOL)
Anyway the story went something like this........
Back in the early 1900's (not sure of the exact year/years of the crime spree) there existed a gang of jewel thieves and smugglers. The gang would commit the robberies in Europe then return to the United States and sell the stolen goods. This system revolved around one member named/called Fauchon or Fauchan (spelling unknown I have tried both and come up with nothing.) Fachon was a midget, her ruse was to pose as a young wealthy orphan and with the aid of an accomplice (who pretended to be her nanny) would tour Europe's grand homes. In this guise they could case the home in full view and luxury; when in actuality what they were doing was casing the home for skilled burglars (who would come later) to rob the place, after Fauchon and her helper had already moved to the next estate. At a prearranged time they would meet and give the stolen goods to Fachon who at the end of the touring season would return to the United States. Fauchan never worried about custom agents finding the stolen goods for she hid them in the head of a china doll that she always carried when dressed as a child. Upon arrival in the U.S. the jewels would then be sold on the black market.
The scheme worked for years until her last 'nanny' wanted a larger cut of the profits. Fauchon was turned in by her accomplice whose name was Magda. After Fachon was found guilty of smuggling and jewel theft she vowed that she would get revenge on Magda even if it was from the grave.
Magda changed her name and was involved in early film, writing scripts or acting was never expressly stated that I remember. On the set of a film was where she was first supposed to have seen Fachon's ghost. Later she found out that Fachon had died in prison and Magda died a year or so later. In the story it was said that she died of fright after seeing and being terrorized by the ghost of Fachon.
Ok, first I know that it was taken from a comic book
But the source was a Ripley's comic not tales from the Crypt or Witching hour which were just plain and simple fun. I have found other sources for stories that I read in Ripley's but this is one I can't trace and would like to. I have tried every type of Goggle Foo that I know and am coming up with a big fat goose egg! My edition that it is in is packed away or I would tell you the comic's number. I tried goggling Ripley's True Ghost stories... GK Comics and you would think that there would be a site out there for comic geeks that lists the comics and shows the covers but no such luck. If anyone knows anything about the true crime behind the story I would love to hear it.Thank you in advance, Mabon.