Corruption can do magic in Russia, proved an "alchemist" from the Interior Ministry, known for "transforming" diamonds into glass and heroin into detergent at the country’s customs. But it all went wrong when he was caught with a $1 million bribe.

­The shady money came from an aspiring foreign businessman who hoped the official would use his magic wand and give the entrepreneur a green light to open a company in Russia.

Curiously, the businessman did not pay for any actual help. In return for the money, the official promised not to aide but rather not to obstruct. Media speculated that the $900,000 found at the scene could be the first tranche of a $6 million bribe.