Serdobsk, 6 February 2014. PenzaNews. An 80-year-old resident of Serdobsk, the Penza region lost 213 thousand rubles to a woman who came to the house under the guise of a gas service worker and told about the currency reform which occurred in the country.

“After inspecting the gas meter the stranger told the pensioner that she is supposed to get compensation and handed her two bookmarks that looked like 500-ruble bills. Making sure that the victim could not tell them from genuine money, the woman told her about the need to exchange money for the “new” bills. To confirm her words, the swindler dialed some number on her phone and invited the woman to talk to a “specialist.” After the conversation the victim gave all her savings in return to the bookmarks looking like money,” the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in the region told news agency “PenzaNews.”

The department explained that the incident is under investigation.

“Police officers will take measures to identify those involved in the crime. They are currently looking for witnesses,” the press service noted.