"Disappearing trick": in Kotel'nich, a Romani woman removed a curse along with the money

      An 87-year-old resident of Kotel'nich turned to the Kotel'nich branch of the Russian Interior Ministry after her savings disappeared following a visit from a stranger.

      According to the pensioner, a woman of Romani appearance approached her on the street and struck up a conversation, saying she wanted to buy a plot of land. Gaining her trust, she asked for water, and the homeowner invited her into the house. There the visitor said the woman had allegedly been cursed and offered to perform a ritual to remove it.

      The pensioner took out her savings, about 500,000 rubles, to "cleanse" them, according to the scammer. After the ritual the guest left, and later the homeowner found 84,000 rubles missing.

      The woman contacted the police. Officers are now working to establish the identity and whereabouts of the suspect, the press service of the Russian Interior Ministry for the Kirov Region reports.