We always want to keep our readers up to date on internet dating fraud and the varies scams that are aimed at American men that are searching for love, romance and even marriage via the internet. This is a release from the US Embassy in Moscow and warns of Russian women (and Russian men) that are out to part American men from their money with nothing in return.
It is also noted that this fraudulent activity is not limited to only Russia and eastern Europe. These activities are going on around the world. I was talking to a friend who had met a British lady on Yahoo Personals and exchanged e-mails for about a week. The woman asked all kinds of questions about the man, his likes and dislikes. Finally, she went for the kill.
Would You Trust This Woman?
The story is not the most ingenious of tales. The girl claimed her “mum” was very sick and needed medicine. She gave a very specific amount she needed of $834. She suggested my friend send the money via Western Union. He was well aware that this was a cam in the making since we had talked about this kind of activity.
There is also a lot of this type activity coming out of Africa as well. It’s too bad because there are those that are genuine in their search for love overseas and the fraudulent activities of some make it more difficult for those that are sincere with their intentions.
As we have been preaching for a while, be aware that not all communications are sincere and many will eventually get arounf to setting the hook. That’s when it’s time to say “bye, bye” and move on in your search.
Don’t be a Russian Scam Victim!”
New Internet Dating Alert From The United States Embassy In Moscow!
The following article was taken from the web site of the United States Embassy in Moscow. It deals with Internet dating fraud and reinforces what we have been advising our clients of for years. This is just another reason why you should only use legitimate, United States based, Foreign Introduction services that are well versed with Foreign dating issues.
The only thing we would add to this is that it is not only Russian women or organizations that engage in such fraud, use caution with whomever you are dealing with when on-line, even within the United States!
Russian Internet Dating Scams
The growing popularity of Internet romance has led to the growth of fraudulent online activity directed at Americans. The United States Embassy in Moscow is receiving increasing numbers of complaints from American citizens who have been lured into online relationships via false internet profiles. Often, these are men pretending to be women who make contact with Americans usually men over the Internet through dating websites or chat rooms. The fictitious person then seeks to create a virtual relationship through the exchange of photos and e-mails. At some point s/he begins to ask for money, frequently asking that it be transferred through wire services. S/he commonly states that the money is needed to help resolve a family tragedy or arrange for a trip to the United States. A copy of a fraudulent U.S. visa is sometimes attached to prove good intentions. The U.S. Embassy in Moscow urges Americans to exercise caution many U.S. citizens have lost hundreds, and even thousands, of dollars.
There are common factors in these Internet scams. Scammers usually misinform the Americans about travel expenses and/or they inflate the cost of the expenses that do exist. They lure the American in with e-mails, pictures, phone calls, fake visas, and even e-mails from fake travel agencies in an attempt to prove their good intentions. Typically, something happens and they “can’t leave the country.” They either “are hospitalized for an injury” and a “member of the family” contacts the American citizen requesting money, or a “member of the family” needs an emergency operation and needs money. Sometimes they are stuck at the airport and are not allowed to board until they can show they have a certain amount of dollars to cover their expenses while in the U.S. Some claim to have been robbed of the money that was sent or claim that they are detained at the airport. Again, their purpose is not to immigrate to the U.S., but to get as much money as possible from the victim. Most of these scammers are actually men who are paying women a minimal fee to sit and pose for pictures and pick up the money at an office of a money transfer agency.
FAQs about Internet Dating S
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Why don’t the scammed victims go to the country to meet the women? Then, if they hit it off, bring the woman back. i think agencies that allow you to fly there and meet their women would be more trustworthy but then again, what if those agencies are paying commission to the girls to go out with you on a nice date…only to end up rejecting you without refund? YIKES! Better to pick up girls in your own country i think.
I met my wife through one of these agencies and I can tell you there are real women out there looking for husbands.