Two Russian men, both claiming to be deaf, have been seen selling small Palau flags for $10 a piece at various areas around town for the past two weeks. The individuals go by the names of Sergei Volozhin and Sasha Kanunov. The incidence is not a common occurrence in Palau and has been recorded and posted on social media as a concerning matter. In reported incidences, each man shows a card that claims he is deaf and can’t speak very well. It also says that they have desire to live and work on the island but are not hired so instead they are selling the flags for ten dollars.
These men have been spotted at different locations such as Payless, Bank of Guam, Budget Mart, etc. A citizen who was approached by one of them recalled that the man would go up to a person’s window or pull on their car doors in an attempt to sell their flags.
Some people mentioned that they gave money to these people because they genuinely wanted to help them while others do not seem to trust them and are questioning their intentions.
The immigration office in Palau is aware of the situation and is currently investigating the matter further. It has yet to comment on what rules and regulations these foreigners are breaking.
The tax office was not aware of these men selling flags indicating that they did not go through proper procedures in order to sell merchandise legally. None of the men obtained a Peddler’s license. A Peddler’s license allows that “Any person either principal or agent, who engages in a temporary or transient business in the Republic, either in one locality or in traveling from place to place, selling goods, wares or merchandise which he carries with him or who otherwise acts as an itinerant vendor shall, in order to engage in such business within the Republic, obtain and have in his possession a peddler’s license permitting him to do so..”
Reports of similar incidences happening in Taiwan, Saipan, and New Zealand are circulating on the internet. As of press time, Island Times have not been able to confirm the legal status of the two individuals from official government agencies. (Telbakes Yano)