The scammers were clever, but they never anticipated being confronted by a spry ninety-year-old woman. However, before they could even make their move, a massive dog named Bartholomew stepped out from behind her.
Though elderly, Ekaterina Ivanovna was a modern woman. At ninety, she chatted with her grandchildren over Skype and took care of her utility bills online. “No point in wasting time standing in line at the post office,” she often said.
Her husband had passed away twelve years ago, and the only living companion left in her life was her old dog, Bartholomew. The name had been chosen by her late husband.
Every morning and evening, people would see Ekaterina Ivanovna walking down the street with a cane in one hand and a leash in the other. The leash was mostly a formality—Bartholomew never bit anyone, despite looking intimidating in his younger years.
Ekaterina Ivanovna was well aware that elderly and lonely individuals were prime targets for scammers. Her grandchildren had warned her, and even the local police officer had mentioned it. She had read about such cases online. A few months earlier, a friend of hers had tearfully shared how she had been scammed out of her savings by con artists.
So when the doorbell rang one day, Ekaterina Ivanovna immediately became suspicious. At the doorstep stood a young couple—perhaps in their mid-twenties. They claimed to be from the social services.
“I didn’t call anyone,” she said, squinting her eyes suspiciously.
“We came on our own,” the young man said with a wide smile. “Have you bought anything at the pharmacy recently?”
“Of course, I have,” Ekaterina Ivanovna replied. “At my age, I visit the pharmacy just as often as I go to the grocery store. Ninety years isn’t a joke!” She was ready to go into details about everything she had purchased and what medications she was taking.
But the couple seemed uninterested in her long list of ailments.
“You’re entitled to compensation from the government!” the young woman chimed in. “It’s a new support measure. Let us come in and help you find the receipts, and we’ll take care of everything.”
Ekaterina Ivanovna struggled to hold back a smile. The scam was too familiar: the guests would enter the house, one would distract her, and the other would search for valuables to steal.
Just as expected, once inside, the young woman asked for a glass of water in the kitchen.
“Of course, my dear! And to keep you company, young man, Bartholomew will stay with you,” Ekaterina Ivanovna said, flashing a smile.
At that moment, Bartholomew entered the room—sleepy but alert. Despite his age, he still looked imposing.
Ekaterina and the young woman went into the kitchen, leaving Bartholomew with the man. The dog slowly approached the young man and seemed to communicate with a glare, as if saying, “Touch anything, and I’ll bite your head off.” The young man didn’t dare move.
It wasn’t long before the couple remembered they had urgent matters to attend to and hastily left.
“What about the compensation for the medicines?” Ekaterina Ivanovna asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“We’ll contact you later,” mumbled the young woman as she quickly made her way to the door.
Ekaterina Ivanovna watched them leave with a stern look, then closed the door and petted Bartholomew. Afterward, she called the local police officer to report the suspicious visitors and let him handle the situation.