Con Men in Kiev - Linas' Arabic Restaurant

You want to assume the best about people.  I've seen a guy three times in Kiev.  He is 5' 8" tall, black hair, looks very Arabic, talks the talk, knows where the Halal restaurants are (good ones too).  But I learned tonight he is a con man.  And yet, the Lord used the experience.  I haven't found any good restaurants in Kiev.  We found a good, comfortable Arabic restaurant tonight, with excellent food, and Muhammed, since he found the place for us, in downtown Kiev, joined us.  But I learned from the manager, afterword, that they see this guy in the restaurant quite a bit.  Here is the con...the guy knows the menu, and orders something excellent that is actually a lunch special off menu.  He'll tell you he is from Qatar, and that he has a wife and kids, but the number of kids part changes after you ask him more questions.  Right before the bill comes, a guy shows up that is his friend.  Muhammed opens his wallet and has only 1000 grievna bills, and says he doesn't have proper change to pay his friend...could I help him out, and he'll be right back.  Just before that he shows me his credit card he'll be paying with.  I have 400 grievna, and I (stupidly) give it to him, and he goes with his friend.  One minute later, I said the Nellie, "that is the best con I have ever seen".  You have to really credit the guy.

I find out the restaurant does not take credit.  I walk to the only good ATM I know, and 40 minutes later, I'm telling the manager to ban the guy from  the restaurant.   I complain, but pay the bill, and leave.  We're walking down Hryshadek, and Nellie spots the guy.  Zach and I walk over, and he is walking arm in arm with a girl dressed like a prostitute.  I told him I want my G400.00 or I'm going to the cops right now (and they are pretty close).  He has some big money friends with him, and they fork over the G400.00.  But I'm telling you, something seemed very wrong with the whole thing.  Thanks to you Lord, I got my money back. 

I had opened up to the guy in an attempt to share the love of Christ, but my Minnesota guardedness was down.  There is something very seedy about the guy and his friends, and this restaurant, so I'll withold the name of the restaurant in this post until we leave Kiev (Linas Restaurant).  I will snap a photo of it before I leave (thank you Canon for the 12x telephoto).  I'll also tell you it is very near the Billa shopping area, right on Hryshadek. 

What is the bottom line?  Assume someone who comes up to you speaking English and is being very friendly, is actually a con, and you'll probably do just fine.  Ask a lot of questions, and if the story changes, find a reason to walk away and do that.