AmitL The last time someone fooled me

The last time someone fooled me was in the nineties. I used to write very regularly to magazines and newspapers, and enter lots of contests. So, somewhere or the other, my name and address would crop up in a magazine/paper, and that is what started the ‘ how someone fooled me ‘ saga. (That was the first and last time --that I’m conscious of..otherwise, every time I buy something, I can’t help wondering about it’s real cost and how much we’re being fooled, by paying much higher, when buying it..LOL)

There was this guy, who turned up one fine morning at our ancestral home. He claimed that he had come from Mathura, worked in the Railways, and was in Baroda for the admission of his son in Medical or Engineering. He projected himself as a regular reader of my letters and claimed that he’d also written to me once(There was no email then). But, since I used to get oodles of letters from penpals and radio stations, I didn’t recall anything. Being the polite guy that I was at that time, I also agreed with him and said that I had indeed received the letter.(Had it been today, I’d have just said, ‘No, I didn’t receive anything, I don’t know you.LOL). And, then came the whammy- he wanted some financial assistance in order to secure the admission, since his wallet had been picked on the way in the train. He was willing to leave his Railway badge as verification, if I wanted. Of course, being Mr. Gullible then, I glibly said, ‘No, no problem’ and gave him the 200 Rs. He was asking for. He went off singing my praises and thanking me profusely.

Imagine my surprise when, two days later he again turned up, saying that they were asking for more money. And, another 3 days later, he again turned up. After 5 such visits and Rs. 1500 later(That was quite a big amount, then! Bigger than it is in today’s inflationary times, I mean!) from him, I began to suspect a rat and just told him that I didn’t have any more to give him and he should look for help somewhere else. So, he went away, giving his address, etc, so that we could be in touch in future.

And, that was the last I saw or heard from him. I did drop him 2-3 letters, asking him to return the money, but, there was no response. I could imagine something in a bubble going ‘Hee Haw Hee Haw’ , the way it does in ‘Chhupa Rustom’ or comedy movies.

Well, the conclusion was ‘ You live and learn’.(It's better that way than to cry over spilt milk,na?)
-----
Incidentally, this reminds me of a RJ’s joke played on someone, two years back.

They called up this poor guy at 700 AM (We were in a Co. bus, enjoying the dialogue). It went something like this:
RJ: Hello! Is this Mr…..?
Mr. J(Let’s say): Yes. Who is this please?
RJ: We are calling from Dubai customs. We have been keeping some people under close observations since some time and it has been observed that you have been purchasing large amounts of gold recently.
Mr. J: (Light panic in voice): Who? Me? Not really. I’ve just been purchasing a big of gold.
RJ: Don’t lie. You have been observed closely and you have purchased more than ‘a little’.
Mr. J: (Feeling trapped): Well, you see, I am from India. I am a poor man. But, in my country, the dowry system is there and I am purchasing for my daughter’s wedding as I have to give it to her as dowry.
RJ: That may be so, but, we cannot allow you to take this much gold out of the country. We know exactly how much you have purchased.
Mr. J: (Now, in slithery form of voice, but, displaying full panic mode): Look, can’t we settle this in some way? I can meet you and we can reach a settlement. I just have to get this gold sent to India. I did not know it is illegal to buy so much gold here.
RJ(Now, bursting out laughing): Mr. J, you are on Radio. Your friend, Mr…… wanted to wish you ‘Happy Birthday’ and ‘WE WISH YOU A HAPPY BIRTHDAY’.
Mr. J: (I could imagine him crying tears of relief): Hahahahahahaha. Thank you.
----------
Someone sent me the first April Fool joke of the day. It’s an email titled’ 101 ideas for 1st April’. When you open it, it says ‘This is one of them. Remaining 100 will be mailed later!’
----------

Cheers!Happy April Fools' Day!And,many more to come!