After an amazing meal of pav bhaji in South Bombay, my aunt and uncle ordered some chutney sandwiches from their favorite street vendor. Needless to say, eating is non-stop here.
Sandwiches from street vendors generally come wrapped in newsprint or recycled paper that the local newsboys collect.
We were all chatting away and chowing down sandwiches (that my immune system will probably make me pay for later) when my Uncle suddenly was staring at his wrapper with his mouth open. My cousin brother-in-law (is that an acceptable kinship?) picked it up and saw that it was a letter with official TATA (a major Indian corporation) letterhead from February 11th that read: “Dear …, Please invest the following amount in ... from my account as soon as possible.”
The amount was 33Rs crores (that is US $7.3 million). Along with the hefty number, the letter included the man’s name, his investor’s name, both addresses, signatures, an official seal, and… an account number.
Seeing my Uncle’s luck, I opened mine and it was a transaction receipt of 22Rs crores.
Believe me, I too wish I took a picture.
Alas, no one else being in the mood for a “Catch Me if You Can” Leonardo Di Caprio-esque indentify theft heist, we silently ate our chutney sandwiches, minds in reverie of our potential millions, and threw the papers away.
Thoughtful lesson from your local Mumbai-ite sandwich man: Shred your trash!
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