February 11, 2024

In Violation of Several HR Policies


In Violation of Several HR Policies
Moolah. The Russian Life files.

Police detained two Muscovites running a scam to sell a government position that didn't actually exist.

The scammers, according to Izvestia, were attempting to sell a "position" in the presidential administration for R10 million ($110,000). Skeptical marks contacted law enforcement, and an investigation began.

Law enforcement continued to communicate with the scammers for months. When a time was finally arranged for a handoff of cash at a hotel, police caught the two criminals red-handed.

Perhaps the most striking aspect of this story is that the potential targets were skeptical enough to contact law enforcement: Corruption, unsurprisingly, is fairly widespread in Russia, and an offer for a secure and well-paying job would be enticing to many.

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Life Stories: Original Fiction By Russian Authors

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.
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