Around the same time as Russian Gas Scam #1, a resident in one of those gigantic apartment buildings—I’ll call him Boris—found a way to warm his home for free throughout the frigid winters. Each apartment had its own coin-operated gas heater. For each coin dropped into the meter, the gas would come on for a set period of time to heat the home. Every month, the gas company would come collect the coins from the meter boxes.

Boris’s box was always empty; yet, his apartment was warm. It took a long time before the coin collector got suspicious, and even longer before the gas company showed up to ask questions. Finally, the gas company begged Boris for his secret, promising free gas for life if only he’d tell.

Simple, Boris said. He carved coins out of ice. They melted, evaporated, and left no evidence.

As told to me by an elderly Russian couple, along with this story, and an upcoming one.