At work in the store, I met a native American who lived in this city with his family: his wife and children. He was about 30, covered in tattoos, but that doesn't bother anyone here. It didn't bother me either. A great guy, always ready to help, always adding money to the register from his own wallet if someone came up short. In short, I had a great impression of him.

I told him I was soon going on a trip to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and other cities. He excitedly shouted that he had a cousin who was a police officer living in LA, and he had a big house where I could stay. He promised to call him that very day and let me know tomorrow. The next day we met at work again, and he said his cousin was very happy to host foreign guests and was ready to help with accommodation for just $400 for 12 days, and could also lend me his car for my driving test.

It was a truly happy moment: I agreed, I was happy, I was laughing.

The next day, I gave him 4 Franklins and shook his hand again.

Three days later, his cousin texted me saying he was really looking forward to my arrival. Suspicion 1: his cousin's number had a mobile area code different from the LA area code. But I agreed and asked for the address to plan my route. He gave me an address in one of the best neighborhoods in LA. Suspicion 2: I looked up the address online and saw that the house at that address was for rent and unoccupied.

Suspicion 3 was related to my own personal deductions and reflections. It's a long story, so I'll skip it. The day before my departure, at 2 AM, I realized I was being scammed and called my "helper." He said he was leaving with his kids to another city in the morning and I wouldn't see him here again. A sleepless night.

At 4 AM, I went to the store and caught him. I lied. I told him I really needed the money because my flight had been canceled and if he didn't return it, I would be stuck here for a long time (implying I would realize he had been scamming me too). I also said I would give the money to his cousin when we met. I walked him to the ATM and got my $400 back. We smiled and said goodbye.

There was no house, no cousin, no car. He had been texting me as the cousin from a different number.

With that, dear reader, I bid you farewell! I hope my stories made an impression on you and taught you something useful. A summer in the USA is one of the best stages of your life, which I am sure will remain in your memory for a long time. But I ask you not to lose your head and always remain rational.

I will update the feed as I write new stories.

Goodbye!