# Navigating the Surreal World of Phone Scams and Fortunes
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Chapter 1: An Unexpected Encounter
In the heart of Soviet Leningrad, my friend and I strolled down Nevsky Prospect, passing a group of gypsy women with their children. One of them, cradling a child, approached us, pleading for money to feed the little one. The innocence of a child compelled me, and I handed over 50 kopecks, a decision I would soon regret. “Thank you, beautiful! You have a kind heart. Let me tell your fortune for free—just give me your hand…”
At that time, I was a naive 22-year-old, unfamiliar with the tricks of gypsy fortune-tellers. I fell for her manipulation and began rummaging through my wallet for a 5 kopeck coin. The woman inspected my palm and the nickel before insisting that I wrap the coin in a paper bill. I hesitated but ultimately withdrew three rubles, only to find it was insufficient for her liking. “You have a red bill there—wrap the nickel in it,” she urged.
In a moment of confusion, I pulled out 5 rubles, wrapped the nickel, and placed it in her hand. She then spoke vague phrases while slipping the wrapped coin out of my grasp with a deft motion. By the time I regained my senses, my friend was threatening to involve the police. The gypsy woman retorted with curses, ominously declaring, “You will die in 24 hours!” Although we called the authorities, I can’t recall their response to the gypsies, but I certainly said farewell to my money.
As for my friend, she is still thriving today—blessings upon her!
…This paragraph will result in an indented block of text, typically used for quoting other text.
Section 1.1: The Changing Landscape of Scams
These days, while walking the streets of Moscow, I rarely encounter gypsies, but I’ve noticed a rise in other types of scammers.
In just one month, I received calls from two employees at different banks and an investigator from the Investigative Committee. The narratives were all too familiar:
— “This is the security service of… the bank. We are contacting you because someone is trying to take out a loan in your name. Are you applying for one?”
— “No.”
— “Or perhaps someone authorized by you is?”
— “No.”
— “What type of card do you have, debit or credit?”
— “I don’t understand the question. Did you send me a message from the bank?”
— “No, I don’t have an account there.”
— “Oh? Then let’s note that you don’t use our services.”
In another call, they claimed: “You are speaking with senior investigator… so-and-so. A citizen… wanted to apply for a loan in your name.”
— “Could you repeat your last name? I’ll be calling the investigative committee myself…”
Chapter 2: The Evolution of Deceit
The first video titled "My Husband Pronounced a Divorce Over the Phone: Is My Divorce Valid?" explores the complexities surrounding divorce proceedings that occur via phone. It discusses legal implications and emotional repercussions of such scenarios, providing valuable insights for viewers.
The second video, "Classic Divorce Court: Kiss Me Through The Phone," humorously depicts a courtroom setting where phone conversations lead to unexpected legal outcomes. This entertaining take sheds light on the absurdities that can arise in divorce cases.