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IGOR

KRAMER

Former challenge facilitator
K
Joined
Apr 15, 2004
Messages
1,434
We shall refer to this applicant simply as IGOR. Igor is from Belarus. For months, following the receipt of his application, we have been trying in vain to understand him, and to convince him to seek help from a translator. But all we get in return are more emails that we cannot possibly decipher.

As Igor has officially applied, he is an applicant, and although the rules state that applications and claim letters must be submitted in English, they do not also state that claims that are indecipherable will be rejected, so we go on, week in and week out, trying to communicate with him. Every Monday, I look forward to his latest email. This one didn't come in until today.

Perhaps he had a cold.
============================================
Hello Hello. I shall show a miracle. My name is Simchanko Igor, It is
Belarus you disturbs. Answer me, it is necessary for me to state
details. PLEASE

------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------Greetings
from BELYNICHI . I worry for correct understanding of my offers. No, there are no you not correctly me understand. I need to be taken literally, only one sphere to see in the future. It means, that I shall not name other spheres in lotto . But it not all demonstration I shall do such demonstration and the next week, and so on indefinitely. Sceptics, where the price to a prize should stop me. :I ask you - how many such demonstrations are necessary for you? The negative result is a mistake, one erroneous week. Allocate those offers and words which
to you are not clear, without understanding of this letter, we cannot write further. PLEASE
============================================

If any of you out there can speak "Belarus", we could sure use some help.
 
More from Igor...10-26-2004

Greetings. I do not aspire to play a lottery. I never played lotteries. I do not suggest you to play a lottery. I aspire to see in the future only one sphere. I suggest you to make demonstration, not having ability. For example- Tue-7th-Sept 09, 21, 28, 30, 35, 38 12, 32 Tue-14th-Sept 16, 19, 21, 23, 31, 37 11, 25 5,429,117.13 3,817,803.19
Tue-21st-Sept 12, 13, 19, 27, 39, 43 17, 24 7,690,790.01 5,425,462.55
Today the fourth Sept , I "kramer see in the future a sphere number 21. Today the thirteenth Sept , I "kramer see in the future a sphere number 16. Today the twentieth Sept , I "Otto kramer in the future a sphere number 12. Mistakes for you "kramer, are set off also. Do demonstration with mistakes. PLEASE
 
...and another:

These usually come in 5 or 6 at a time, in a single day, over the course of a few hours. I hadn't heard from Igor in weeks. I was beginning to worry about him.
===========================================

HELLO I ask to answer me the letter. To YOU the QUESTION - you received my paper letter only in English? I am interested only in the fact of reception. Let I am answered also by Mr. KRAMER. You a question - can use intermediaries in the USA for registration of the notarial transaction? I suggest you to write to sceptics of a gulf Tampa Garypos@aol.com . I want to estimate preliminary test in 1000 $. PLEASEHELLO I ask to answer me the letter. To YOU the QUESTION - you received my paper letter only in English? I am interested only in the fact of reception. Let I am answered also by Mr. KRAMER. You a question - can use intermediaries in the USA for registration of the notarial transaction? I suggest you to write to sceptics of a gulf Tampa Garypos@aol.com . I want to estimate preliminary test in 1000 $. PLEASE
 
From: "igor simchanko" <sim****@mail.ru>
To: <kramer@randi.org>
Sent: Sunday, December 26, 2004 8:50 AM
Subject: For you wait do not detain us please.

I send to you this paper letter 1 $ one US dollar. I specify the reasons.

1) the American notary probably will demand a payment for registration of the notarial agreement. 2) In such a way it is possible to transfer the information for you JAMES RANDI. One dollar of the dash, two dollars a point. Similarly on the Morse alphabet. Letters through bank.

I Remind, that I write only English language as you have demanded.You have stopped correspondence during very inconvenient time. Me Tampa 1000 $ was possible to write to Sceptics of the Gulf. They wait my demonstration. For
sceptics of a gulf it is the basic demonstration. For you JAMES RANDI it is preliminary demonstration it agrees forms.

I managed to receive paper addresses of notaries in Australia, through sceptics. Give me JAMES RANDI such addresses in Florida. Correspondence with notaries is necessary for me.
I want to know laws of the USA.-------------------------------------

It is necessary to estimate chances of demonstration. Sceptics of a gulf have already made such estimations. ТАМÐ_А demands to win in Florida of a lotto one sphere. Consistently in seven games. Also forbid to me to do one mistake. One mistake is negative result, and one of rules of yours JAMES RANDI forms.This preliminary test for you, and the basic for other sceptics.
For you wait do not detain us please.
-IGOR
==========================================
> Высылаю вам этим бумажным письмом 1$ один доллар США . Указываю причины .
> 1) Американский нотариус возможно потребует платы за оформление
> нотариального соглашения . 2) Таким способом можно передавать информацию
> для вас JAMES RANDI . Один доллар тире , два доллара точка . Похоже на
> азбуку Морзе . Письма через банк
> .-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Напоминаю , что я пишу только Английским языком , как вы потребовали .Вы
> остановили переписку в очень неудобное время . Мне удалось написать
> Скептикам Залива Тампа 1000$ . Они ждут мою демонстрацию . Для скептиков
> залива это основная демонстрация . Для вас JAMES RANDI это
> предварительная демонстрация согласно формы
> .----------------------------------------------------------------- Мне
> удалось получить бумажные адреса нотариусов в Австралии , через скептиков
> . Дайте мне JAMES RANDI такие адреса во Флориде . Мне необходима
> переписка с нотариусами . Я хочу знать законы США
> . ------------------------------------- Необходимо оценить шансы
> демонстрации . Скептики залива уже сделали такие оценки . ТАМÐ_А требует
> выиграть во флорида лото один шар . Последовательно в семи играх . И
> запрещают мне делать одну ошибку . Одна ошибка это отрицательный результат
> , и одно из правил вашей JAMES RANDI формы .Ð_то предварительное испытание
> для вас , и основное для других скептиков .Вас ждут не задерживайте нас
> пожалуйста .
============================================

We only accept applications submitted in English, but we're trying our best to understand what Igor is rambling on about.

He sends faxes, too. Lots of them. Very frustrating.
 
Nice

Yes, it's always nice to hear from Igor.
============================

Questions. 1) show your form and conditions for the demonstration? 2) who manages the prize fund for 5000 EURO-? 3) as to select mediator (sekundanta) for the demonstration? 4) my demonstration can have only applied interest. I cannot play into the lottery for the gain. I will see future into the automatic lottery with the numbered spheres. My demonstration is weak, and this was one of the reasons why to me it refused Australia. But other skeptics can have another opinion. And therefore I wrote to you. 5) you speak necessary compulsorily to be at the demonstrations. Say in you there is automatic lottery with the numbered spheres in the Netherlands? Should whether I be present on the lotto? http://lottery.merseyworld.com/archive/Lott558.html Details of demonstration in the following letter. I is how much ball it must win. Write to me your calculations of chance, it is ball for seven, six it is ball, five it is ball, four it is ball, three it is ball, two it is ball, one sphere. I pose question is how much it is ball I it must win ???????????????????????????????????????????????????

I please you "Kramer" to wait working the opinion of others. But I will place you in the reputation, about the correspondence with others. I USED A TEXT WHICH I IT WROTE In THE NETHERLANDS. PLEASE DO NOT ANSWER MY QUESTIONS.

============================

Now there's a request I can satisfy.
 
WOW !!!

Mr. Dave Thomas at New Mexico Skeptics has apparently made contact with Igor, and a protocol is being negotiated.

Personally, I couldn't be happier. This is just great. I only hope it's not a joke.

Here is their recent correspondence, beginning to my email response to Dave Thomas' notification to JREF regarding our old friend, Igor:

============================================

Wow, Dave. We never even imagined that anyone could decipher (in specific) what the hell Igor was rambling about.
We sure do appreciate your making contact with him, so to speak. YES, keep me in the loop, if you will.
-Kramer, JREF Paranormal Claims Dept.
==============================================
> Greetings, JREF!
> FYI, I've been e-mailing with a Russian chap who (I think!) wants NMSR to pre-test his ability to pick lottery numbers. Here's what I've sent him. I'll let you know if he hits a jackpot!
> Cheers, Dave Thomas
> President, NMSR (New Mexicans for Science and Reason)
> http://www.nmsr.org
=============================================
> Previously, igor simchanko <simchank@mail.ru> wrote:
>>HELLO /
>>Questions. 1) show your form and conditions for the demonstration?
==============================================
The $1,000,000 challenge is hosted by the Randi Foundation. My group, NMSR (New Mexicans for Science and Reason) does NOT have such a prize. HOWEVER, we have cooperated with the Randi Foundation to "pre-test" applicants for the prize. We tested someone who said they could send telepathic messages.
Sadly, he backed out of the test just before we performed it.
We can do a pre-test for you, too. Here are 2 web pages on the Randi Foundation's rules for the $1,000,000 prize:
> http://www.randi.org/research/index.html
> http://www.randi.org/research/challenge.html
==============================================
2) who the leader of skeptics, New Mexicans?
==============================================
I (David E. Thomas) am the president. Here is my bio page:
> http://www.nmsr.org/thom-bio.htm
==============================================
3) as to select mediator (sekundanta) for the demonstration?
==============================================
We can supply a mediator. It is best if You have someone in America who can act as mediator for you.
==============================================
4) name your paper address? I entangled you with the Mexicans.
==============================================
> It is:
> Dave Thomas, President, NMSR
> P.O. Box 1017
> Peralta, NM 87042 USA
> --------------------------------------------------------------
I will see future into the automatic lottery with the numbered spheres. PLEASE
==============================================
That sounds interesting. We can easily do an informal pre-test of your powers. Here is what I suggest:
(1) Learn about the Power Ball Lottery. Here is a web page for it:
> http://www.nmlottery.com/_database/newpower.asp
Here are the Lottery Rules:
> http://www.nmlottery.com/PowerBall/powerball.htm
Each play costs $1. You choose 5 numbers, from 1 to 53, and 1 Powerball number, from 1 to 42. Power Ball drawings are on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
(2) BEFORE a Lottery Drawing, YOU SEND ME your 6 numbers (5 from 1-53, 1 from 1-42), AND THE DATE of the Drawing. The next Drawings are January 22 (SAT), January 26 (WEDS), January 29 (SAT).
(3) I will respond and confirm your letter back to you. This must happen BEFORE the drawing.
(4) We wait for the drawing, and see if you would have won any money. If your numbers would have won $100 or more, we will proceed to a Second Lottery drawing, with the same rules.
If you also would have won $100 or more with your SECOND set of numbers, I will gladly write Mr. Randi a letter recommending that you be tested for this ability by his JREF Foundation.
After that, you can deal with Randi directly. To get started, just send me your 6 numbers and a date.
> EXAMPLE: 9, 21, 24, 48, 53, POWERBALL 29 --- SATURDAY JANUARY 22, 2004
Sincerely, Dave Thomas
 
What?

You only observe, well, only observe. I do not know sceptics from Belarus which demand paid demonstrations, even 500 EUR-----

1) RANDI Speaks, that is not interesting. Try to write to it. Transfer me his answer.

2) But to it the notary is necessary. What do you think on this question?

3) the Belarus bureaucracy does not do such documents.

==============================================

The deeper our colleague in New Mexico delves into this, the more confused he gets...as per the latest email (see above).
 
Some hard data on IGOR

The following email correspondence between NY Area Skeptics and Tasmania Skeptics has been copied to me at my request, in an effort to maintain the JREF file on Igor.
==============================================

Dear Fred,

I received a puzzling email from a Igor Simshanko about some demonstration he wants to perform and your name was mentioned. I believe he is the same person who told the Tampa Bay Skeptics he could predict lottery winners last fall., and is trying to qualify for Randi's $1 million.Is that what this is about?

- New York Area Skeptics

============================================

To which the following reply was received:

============================================

Greetings Jeff,

Igor Simchanko is a chap from Belarus. He approached the Australian Skeptics some months ago in relation to our $110K prize and I was asked to investigate his claims. He was unable or unwilling to tell us exactly what he believed his paranormal ability to be. Early on he told me that, in effect, he could predict ONE of the six numbers drawn of forty five in the Australian lottery provided that he was allowed to have an unspecified number of failures. He seems unable to understand that almost any one number chosen has a high probability of being one of
the six drawn and that no "ability" is shown if he is allowed to fail
some of the time. He did make it clear that he was NOT claiming to be able to predict the six numbers needed for the big prize.
He then lead us a merry chase of emails when he demanded that, in effect, we make a contract with him to pay him the money before he would tell us any more about his "ability".

His letters are very poorly written and hard to understand. As it
happens, my wife is a Russian linguist. So I had him write to me in Russian. His Russian language letters were just as puzzling as his English ones.

He has also been in touch with a Sr Buela of the Argentinean Skeptics with an identical story. I think that he gets email addresses from the net and sends out similar letters to everyone whom he thinks can help him. Eventually we told him that unless he was prepared to tell us precisely what he believes is his "ability" then he should please stop writing. This led to him deluging other skeptics in Australia with letters asking for their help and telling them that I lacked the skills to understand his "ability".

We no longer respond to his letters but this does not seem to stop him. The most recent letter from him arrived yesterday.
I think that he is probably mentally disturbed. He probably sincerely believes that he has some ability not possessed by other people. He clearly does not understand anything about statistics or number theory.

If you write to him I reckon that you will have a correspondent for
life. :)

Skeptics Australia (Tas) Inc
Hobart,Tasmania
 
Pointless

There would be few things more utterly pointless than to paste everything that's gone on with Igor in recent months.

However, here is an email from one of the numerous Skeptics groups he has contacted in an effort to prove a claim regarding picking numbers:

============================================

Dear Kramer,

Igor Simchanko has continued communicating with me in his
incomprehensible way. At present, he is complaining

(A) That he is having trouble getting email to work. He wants me to set up an account for him, or something like that. I refuse to do so, and would advise anyone else working with him to not do so as well.

(B) He doesn't want to send his predictions via hard copy, only via email. For now, I've told him I won't even CONSIDER doing it by email until he gets his email in order.

Ultimately, I think it is JREF's decision whether predictions delivered via email are acceptable or not. The main problem with it is that he could send multiple emails and/or edit "his" copy of the email or "his" return receipt, and claim we are lying when we tell him his prediction is inaccurate.

At present, I think we've reached an impasse, and I doubt we will make any progress at all. I've already told him that by the end of the summer, if we haven't reached agreement, I will no longer communicate with him.

E. Carlson
 
Wow. Amazing. Kudos to Carlson

Dear JREF,

I am continuing discussion with Mr. Simchanko. We have reached agreement on a protocol. I am now checking with you that the protocol is acceptable. If it is, then I'll tell him to send it to you with his signature.

Thanks. Let me know if there is anything else you need at this time.

Eric Carlson

***** agreement that Mr. Simchanko will send to you *****

1. I, Igor Simchanko, will make predictions for the Florida 'Lotto' game as described in
http://www.flalottery.com/lottery/games/lotto/l6howto.html

This lottery, which involves daily drawings, consists of six numbered balls drawn randomly from a selection of 53 balls.

2. For a preliminary demonstration, I will predict one number on a series of four dates, each seven days after the previous one, starting with
______________ and ending with _______________.

At least 24 hours before each of these four dates, I will FAX a prediction to Dr. Eric Carlson in the United States at the phone number 336-***-****. This FAX will clearly indicate a single number (1-53) for the upcoming date, as well as including my signature. Dr. Carlson will email me back confirmation of receipt of the prediction.

The test will be considered successful if, on every date for which a prediction is made, the number I have chosen for that date is among those six that were chosen.

3. For a final demonstration, I will predict one number on a series of seven dates, each seven days after the previous one, starting with ______________ and ending with _______________. At least 24 hours before each of these four dates, I will FAX a prediction to the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) in the United States at the phone number ____________. This FAX will clearly indicate a single number (1-53) for the upcoming date, as well as including my signature.

JREF will email me back confirmation of receipt of the prediction. The test will be considered successful if, on every date for which a prediction is made, the number I have chosen for that date is among those six that were chosen.
 
WHAT?????!!!!!

Hello for JREF and JAMES RANDI / I offer such text of the initial document. If you wish it is possible to reprint it on your printer. But it is better to wait. Repeat to me your messages. At me mail from a box - electronic disappears.

1. I, Igor Simchanko, will make predictions for the Florida 'Lotto' game as described in -

http://www.flalottery.com/

This lottery, which involves daily drawings, consists of six numbered balls drawn randomly from a selection of 53 balls.


2. For a preliminary demonstration, I will predict one number on a
series of four dates, each seven days after the previous one, starting with ______________ and ending with ____________. At least 24 hours before each of these four dates, I will FAX and by the electronic mail a prediction to Attorney General Charlie Crist
in the United States at the phone number Fax: 850-***-**** . This FAX and the electronic mail will clearly indicate a single number (1-53) for the upcoming date, as well as including my signature. Attorney General Charlie Crist will email me back confirmation of receipt of the prediction. The test will be considered successful if, on every date for which a prediction is made, the number I have chosen for that date is among those six that were chosen.

=============================================

So now it seems that Igor is imagining that the Attorney General is somehow involved in all of this.

The rest of this email I will not post, because it's just gibberish.

I think Igor is just nuts. Sorry to put it that way, but this Attorney General fiasco really confirms it for me.
 
We continue to receive inane emails and faxes from Igor, with absurd test protocols involving the Florida Secretary of State.

All efforts to make him understand that we are not accepting his claim have fallen on deaf ears. I'm sure it will go on this way.
 
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