![SCAMMED](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/232/518438/5f696e484e63f/SCAMMED.jpg)
The email popped up on my screen at 6:45 a.m. on 24 December last year. I’d already been awake for hours, working to a deadline. It was from someone I know quite well: the minister of my Unitarian church. “I need a favour from you,” it read. “Email me as soon as you get my message.”
“Ahoy, Ron,” I replied.
A friend was in the hospital battling cancer, he said, and he’d just learnt she was scheduled for surgery that night. Could I possibly pick up some iTunes gift cards?
“She needs the cards to download her favorite music and videos to boost her confidence on her next phase of surgery.” He’d do it himself, but he was tied up, he explained. “I will surely reimburse you as soon as I can.”
“OK,” I emailed back.
“Thank you so much, Bruce,” my correspondent replied. Then he got down to business. I was to buy $300 (around ₹22,000) of iTunes credit. (That’s quite a lot of music, I thought.) “I need you to scratch the silver lining at the back of each card to reveal the redemption code, then take a snapshot and send them directly to Sharon’s email.” He gave the address. “God bless.”
God bless? We’re Unitarians. Optimistic agnostics at best. The G-word doesn’t come up much. Totally weird sign-off there. I assumed Ron’s mind was still on the dire circumstances of his friend Sharon.
“I can pick up the cards around noon and engineer this by tonight,” I replied.
Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av Reader's Digest India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av Reader's Digest India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![READER'S DIGEST-BOOKS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/UEQ-OLTrP1723436127352/READERS-DIGESTBOOKS.jpg)
READER'S DIGEST-BOOKS
These book summaries highlight Siddharthya Roy's exploration of conflict and violence, Michael Castleman's deep dive into the history of publishing, and Swadesh Deepak's examination of social issues and masculinity through Hindi literature.
![Man with printed sarong](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/kr2VtNh1S1723435853349/MAN-WITH-PRINTED-SARONG.jpg)
Man with printed sarong
A lawyer, pianist, critic, and mentor to artists, Lionel Wendt is best known for his photographs of Sri Lanka, especially those of people indigenous to the island, captured amidst the lush landscape or posing in his studio.
![Too Much?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/NxksFPLmj1723192376952/crp_TOO-MUCH.jpg)
Too Much?
New studies show that even moderate drinking is a health hazard. Here’s a frank look at the toll alcohol takes on the body
![ME & MY SHELF](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/xTZUEvXXV1723195672136/ME-MY-SHELF.jpg)
ME & MY SHELF
Coimbatore-born Prashanth Srivatsa is a science fiction/fantasy writer whose stories have appeared in magazines such as Asimov’s, Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction and Three-Lobed Burning Eye, among others. Prashanth’s debut fantasy novel, The Spice Gate chronicles the journey of Amir, a young man born with special abilities who unravels the power that keeps the world in balance. magazines such as Asimov's, Magazine of Fantasy Science Fiction and Three-Lobed Burning Eye, among others. Prashanth’s debut fantasy novel, The Spice Gate chronicles the journey of Amir, a young man born with special abilities who unravels the power that keeps the world in balance.
![Small Business, Big Heart](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/eDWpSe8tL1723195503513/SMALL-BUSINESS-BIG-HEART.jpg)
Small Business, Big Heart
Caring for people is part of the deal at family-run shops
![Spill the Beans](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/ON2H93NTp1723195350746/SPILL-THE-BEANS.jpg)
Spill the Beans
Everyone has secrets. Here's why you should share yours
![It Happens ONLY IN INDIA](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/3KWbimJWh1723195194499/IT-HAPPENS-ONLY-IN-INDIA.jpg)
It Happens ONLY IN INDIA
Angry lovers are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.
![FULL STEAM AHEAD!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/r068gw5UZ1723194971720/FULL-STEAM-AHEAD.jpg)
FULL STEAM AHEAD!
I GOT THE CHANCE TO DRIVE THE WORLD'S LAST SCHEDULED STEAM TRAIN
![Stressed and Worn Down](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/jcH9Rlke01723194769757/STRESSED-AND-WORN-DOWN.jpg)
Stressed and Worn Down
More and more people are clenching and grinding their teeth. Here's what to do about it
![THIS BACON FAKERY MUST STOP](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/f0DxhphbV1723194666430/THIS-BACON-FAKERY-MUST-STOP.jpg)
THIS BACON FAKERY MUST STOP
I was recently given bacon-flavoured dental floss for my birthday.