The Anatomy of a Scam!

[Louie]

I was responding to a letter from a Russian gal, which felt like a scam from the git-go, and sure enough it was, it took 5 letters before she asked for the money, this ones a little different in she didn't claim her undying love. here are her letter, so any new guy can get the feel of a scam in progress

LETTER 1

Louie hello,thank you for the answer,(so short one)I will try to
explain why I wrote to you ,please forgive my broken english.
you should know that it is my first time I try to correspondence with a
man in virtual space.
my friends helped me to find your site and I could send the letter to
you and I do hope that I will be lucky to meet good man.
I want to explain why I do it.I live in Russia and I am going to work
abroad for three months or so and I would like to meet a nice man
to be my guide and be very good and close friend to spend free evenings
with.I think that it is hard enough
to live in foreign town without friend and I have never been
abroad.I don't know anybody in your country.you should know I live in
small town here in Russia,I am afraid to be
lost in foreign city.and I would like to see real life, not TV show and
it is impossible to see without
person who knows all sides of the life .I will work in shop or in cafe
.I will know exactly later I have to test my english and
my future job depends on how good it is.
The agency  helps me to get the visa,work permission and all travel
documents and they will
help me to get job.I will have place to live(rent room) and enough good
salary they promise that I will earn good money .
I think it is so great because I can earn here about 100$ a month to
work from morning till evening.One of my friend
worked in USA for three months last year,and she was so pleased and she
is going to repeat this trip in a few months.
She has met right man in town where she worked ,and they are good
friends and lovers now and he is going to visit her here in Russia.
It is special programme for young people who wants to work abroad and I
think it is the right
way for me ,and I think that I will be able to change my life and see
many wonderful things and just see different life.
I am full of plans and different dreams.you should know that I have
real blonde hair
and blue eyes.I am sure that you  will be not disappoined to meet me in
the real life if we meet.
Well,I will close this letter and I do hope to get your reply. may be
my letter sounds a little crazy but i am not sure I know what to say in
first letter .I just want to meet good man .
I will leave my town in a week or so  to travel to moscow to complete
all travel things
I will work all day and I think we could share evenings together  to
get to know each other better.if you have any interest to meet me I will 
reply.
I just don't want to be alone in the evenings,and I would like to be
sure
in advance that somebody waits for me! Just woman wish!
I will tell you all details about me and my life if you have an
interest to meet me and free time to spend with me,I know that usually the
males are very busy
and I don't want to bother you if you prefer to work a lot.
of course I don't want you to waste all your time,I think everything
depends on our first meeting.
and maybe we are soulmate,who knows.
it is my real personal mail address please use this one.
with best regards Liliya,you can call me just Lily.  I Send a few
pictures I think you want to know how I look.

[Louie]

LETTER 2


Louie hello,I am so glad to see your reply and thank you that you could
find time and wish to reply.and thank you for picture,I think you look
so young and strong,I like
this type .
It is so strange I didn't know you a few days ago and now I want to
meet you so much,I think Internet is changed our life
and we live in so modern world.and I think you have much more chances
in USA because of your modern economic and technologies.
Well,I think I will tell you about myself I want you to know all about
me and my life I don't want to give you any surprices.
I would like to describe myself because if we will meet in real life we
have to know each other better.
I think that in principle I am usual girl.I think I should tell you
about my interests,
tastes and hobbies.you should  know that my real name is Liliya
Sultanova,I am 25 years old,my  birthday is
October2.I will be 26.I am about 168cm tall and my weight is about 51
kg.they tell I
look well enough ,My body sizes are 94 - 62-91, I tried to translate it
and I
have  such result  I have 37" breast--24" waist--36"  hips.  My height
is also  at 5' 5"
and 120 pounds.if it sounds wrong it means I have done wrong
translate. I have real blonde
hair and real blue eyes,I know that many women abroad have a possibilty
to improve faces and bodies,and they
look so beautyful,but it is impossible here we live so far from
civilazation.and I am not sure I need to do it.
I have two sisters (younger)and it is great problem because we have
only two rooms flat.and we have a dog also.
you can't imagine what does it mean to be born in small town in
Russia,there are not any
chances to live well,to get nice job.All young people leave towns to
search great
luck in big cities but nobody waits for them there.
I think in future I can work as fitness trainer I have certificate. I
worked as a trainer for two years and it was the best time in my life.
I don't smoke,I tried to smoke when I was younger.I was so silly to
think that I look cool.
I may to let myself have red glasswine,sometimes it helps to relax.
I try to care of my body and face.I know it is all I have .
I am not a little girl and I know that at first almost all men look at
body ,legs and face.
God created males such persons.
I will have all documents to travel very soon and I will travel to
moscow ,I will get visa and buy ticket
and if we want to meet I have to know right name of nearest
international airport where you can meet me.
I will book my flight from moscow.
I live in Russia,Siberia,town Baykalsk,it is near big city Irkutsk,
home37 - flat 23.so far from hollywood(joke).
I will be glad if you understand my mind,my intentions,if not please
reply
that you have not interest to meet me.
Well,I will close this letter,I think you are tired to read it.
you should know that I write my letters at home on the paper and I copy
it here in internet cafe
because there are not cafes and possibility to
use internet in my town,we have 4 digitals phone number and we can't
call abroad.Even to
call in any big town here in Russia I have to order the call in
advance.and it is the reason that my letters
are so long and may be I missed some of your questions.and dear I would
like to say please don't worry if there is not my answer soon,
I mean I can't be in cafe every hour,usually I
try to be here in the morning or in the evening!and I may miss a day or
so ,you know that not all depends on me in this world!
Well,I will close this letter.
also I have a few impotant questions----do you like strong drinks too
much?can you be rude with woman?may be it sounds
strange for you but it is very important for me ,I will explain later
when I know you better.
Well,I have to stop or I will write without ending.see you later.Lily
.and may be I will be not able to write to you tomorrow,
I think I will be very busy but if I can I will,please don't lose me!



LETTER 3

Hey dear!!!it is me Lily!!!it is only short note to let you know that I
am all right and I want to say that I will be very busy tomorrow all
the day and I think I will be able to send
the letter late evening or aftertomorrow and I so much ask you please
don't look at different girls I am the best(joke),I see your nice letter
but I have not time to read I will read it to
tomorrow and send my letter.I think I will leave my town on Friday to
travel to moscow i will know more exactly tomorrow,and I will inform you
.thank you for kindness and I am so happy to meet you .
I am afraid it is only my night dream ,I do hope to meet you in real
life.Well,I have to run,please don't lose me I just can't be here
tomorrow .Please don't forget of me!See you soon,Lily ,kiss!


LETTER 4

Louie hello dear  ,Lily here!!!!!I have done a lot of work with travel
preparations and I am so happy that I will meet you soon.
thank you for pictures ,I like it!!!
it seems to me I am lucky girl to meet such man from first time and I
will do my best to meet you
in real life!be ready to read my long letter I have to say so much
today.
I want you to know all small things about me because it mustn't be any
misunderstandings between
us.I  want you to know that I am not angel I mean I am usual girl with
all human's problems.
and sometimes I can show my character.And I don't wait that you to be
angel,I just want to meet
kind man .
I am very kind and I can forgive almost all I hate only drunkers and
rude men.
My favorite activite is swimming.I like to swim very much. I wish we
had
the sea here!I like the sea and I would like to see the ocean,it is my
dream!I have
never seen the ocean.
I finished The Siberia State Univercity, trainers faculty as fitness
,dancing trainer but
I don't work on my profession,I used to sit at home and to do all
housework,helping my mom.
I would like to have good job,I may work dancing teacher,or trainer of
fitness,you know I have
a certificate.I worked as a trainer and my girls told me that I am
enough good one! .
and I would like to do it again .you know how many more younger girls
want to get this job too!
Alot of competition here.Beause there are only a few Gyms here.I want
to tell you about things I like:
I like to make barbecue and I so much want to have my own home with
fireplace.
usually I make very tasty ones and in principle I like to cook and it
is not problem for me to
cook something tasty.
I like warm weather. and my great dream is to live on tropical island
somewhere in ocean.
Small girl dream,really.I have never been married and I have not any
children.I have not
boyfriend because they like to drink too much here and they are so rude
like bears.and I want to keep myself for my future husband.
Also I want tell you about my dislikes: I hate our long winters it
seems to me they will never end.
I hate lies and unfaithfulness. I hate evil people and politicans I
think they like to play wars,
 I hate any wars.
What I like in a man: faithfulness, honesty. He has to be open- minded
and open-hearted, also
easy-going.and much more important he must be kind,kindness makes our
world!
are you kind?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
When I am in USA  I will rent a room near my future work and I have a
question,
is it normal if we like each other may be it is  possible to live
together?of course if you
don't't mind.I will save money I have to pay for the rent and we will
be able to spend it to go to cafe or cinema.Or we will pay together for
your place.
I think I will be able to improve my english,you can learn Russian and
I think
it will help us to learn each other better,who knows.Have you big
bed?(joke). I have drive licence but I am not sure I will be able to drive
there.
and I do hope you give me a few lessons,to be fair I have so many plans
.
Well,about important things,I spend so much time to tell about
nothing.Sorry dear!
I will leave Irkutsk airport tomorrow early morning and I will be on
the way to moscow.I will travel by plane and it takes about five hours to
fly.
and I think I will be able to write to you as soon as I am in moscow
and have time and possibility,I have to find  rent room in moscow
to live till my flight.When I am in moscow I will send you short letter
to let you
know that I am all right and they tell that it takes about two days to
complete all travel preparations,
and I do hope to meet you in a few days.
Well, I will close this letter Now I feel better I know you are waiting
for me.See you soon, kiss for you Lily!!


There are 2 more letters the last one being the one she asks for money, I have to leave to do some work, but I will post the rest later today!

Here is Letter 5


Hello,hello,hello!!!!!Lily here!!!!it is me,so glad to have possibility
to write to you.
can you believe  I am in Moscow. I can't believe ,it was
wonderful flight and they gave red wine in plane,taste breakfast and
juice,wow,I have never tried
such tasty ones!!!!!
It is such great city and it takes a few hours to travel from one end
to other. I took a
taxi from airport,it takes about 10 persons,it is like small bus and
much cheapper
than taxi.So comfortable bus,I have never been into such bus!
Taxi driver showed us some nice places in Moscow while he was taking
us down to the destination. what a great city it is. I have no words to
say.
When I get off plane in airport  Moscow  policeman  asked about
passport and he looked at me like I am any enemy,
I think all people here are a little crazy at  terrorism.
Life here in Moscow is expensive. I was going through some shops
and it is much more expensive than in our town. Foods and all the
general
things. Funny really, It is the same country but different prices, and
different
life.I rent the room and old lady tells me that I have to be
careful,she means that it is possible to meet bad man abroad but I have
done my
choice and I think you are too kind to make any bad things I feel it.
please forgive me if my letter looks like a little crazy but
everything is mixed in my head,too many different things,emotions and
even fears.please confirm the name of airport ,I mean right writting
in english because they tell that many airports have similar names in
the world.I am
afraid to make any mistake and I need more info about you ,maybe phone
and last name because if I have any troubles I will call you.I will
write down it on the paper and
keep with me because I can't keep your mails and can just forget
it.just woman memory.
I have been to agency today,my info is not ready now,they promise soon.
And of course, when I get it - I will inform you!I am sure we will meet
very soon and it gives me forces,
to be fair I am tired.
Well,I will close this letter ,please write as soon as possible!see
you soon!KISS . Great kiss from moscow!!!!!!!!!!Lily!

[Louie]

And Finally the Money Letter
Hopefully this will help other Guys in spotting a scammer, and like every one always says, NEVER EVER send money to a picture!



Louie hello again,you see I am in Moscow and I think I have made almost
the half of my trip to you.Everything goes so fast that I can't
believe I will be on the plane on my trip to you in a few days.to be
fair I am tired a little.everything is not so easy like I thought.it is
hard
enough business because of so many barriers on this way. this is
shedule of my flight I booked roundtrip ticket because I have to show in
embassy that
I have ticket with returning date.it is the law.


 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Information for Sultanova Liliya.

"Moscow travelcity LTD." 3690768, Moscow,Gykova street
271,office 341. phones (7 ) (095 ) 7978174 (7 ) (095 ) 7870178
 
Please use our service .
Best regards.Manager Ms.Krasova Elena.Ms.Kabaeva Natalia.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flights: Moscow, Russian Federation - Los Angeles, California, USA 
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Departing flights from Sheremetyevo (SVO), Moscow, Russian Federation
to Los Angeles Int'l (LAX), Los Angeles, California, USA
LEGEND: 1st=First, Biz=Business, Eco=Economy, N/A=Class does not exist,
No=All seats full, OP=Flight operated by another carrier, R=On Request
TR=Traffic Restrictions apply to this flight 
 
Flight Departing  Arriving  Stops / Aircraft Duration Seats available
1st Biz Eco
 
Aeroflot
SU 321  Sheremetyevo (SVO), Moscow, Russian Federation
Terminal 2  14:40
 Los Angeles Int'l (LAX), Los Angeles, California, USA
Terminal 4  16:50
 



 
  Flights: Los Angeles, California, USA - Moscow, Russian Federation 
Sunday, November 26, 2006 
Returning flights from Los Angeles Int'l (LAX), Los Angeles,
California, USA to Sheremetyevo (SVO), Moscow, Russian Federation
LEGEND: 1st=First, Biz=Business, Eco=Economy, N/A=Class does not exist,
No=All seats full, OP=Flight operated by another carrier, R=On Request
TR=Traffic Restrictions apply to this flight 
 
Flight Departing  Arriving  Stops / Aircraft Duration Seats available
1st Biz Eco
 
Delta Air Lines
DL 1063  Los Angeles Int'l (LAX), Los Angeles, California, USA
Terminal 5  07:20
 William B Hartsfield (ATL), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Terminal S  14:33
 Non-stop / 764  16h00min Yes N/A Yes
Delta Air Lines
DL 046  William B Hartsfield (ATL), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Terminal S  15:45
 Sheremetyevo (SVO), Moscow, Russian Federation
Terminal 2  10:20 
 






 



Price: USD 1290.00+   Round trip tickets.Eco.class.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Louie the thing is that I have to show in embassy that I have roundtrip
tickets ,it is the law.and after interview I have to
go to get open visa and all travel documents to travel.I wanted to ask
you about electronic tickets but they tell that
I can't use because it is their businees to arrange all travel details
and they have some extra money from all the things,
you see it is just business.I think that you will be able to help me
because I don't know anybody here and only you are
my hope now,I think everything in your hands and I believe that you
will not leave me here alone.please borrow some money.I am sure I will be
able
to return all your money back after a few weeks,I will get salary and I
will collect the sum I own you.
to be fair I am not sure I know what to say because I hate to ask but
now I have not different way ,you see.
Please help me  it is only money and much more important if we meet in
person  I will do my best you will be not disappoined.
I see that it sounds a little crazy but I can't believe that in the
worst case I have to return home,they all will
laugh at me.I think it rests with you to decide and I feel that you
will help me because you are kind.
I have yet about 600 US (I had 1200)dollars(flight from Irkutsk,open
visa and all travel needs costed about600$)
and I think I need about 850 US dollars from your side with all travel
needs and living here till my flight!
If everything will be all right between us I can stay with you longer
than three months,maximum I can stay about 6 months for
first time! We should change only the date of my returning flight.and
if you don't like me I will live in rent room and don't bother you
and money is money I will return it back in any case.I so much hope
that you will help me .My parents gave me all they had.
Thank you in advance.maybe i look like the poor outsider but I do hope
you understand my position because it is always there is anybody who
needs to help.
I am so glad to see that we are almost near our goal,and our meeting
wait for us. I think I will call you from airport and I will wait for you
there so
long as you need,I mean if you need any time to arrive in airport.it is
not problem to wait because I know that it is the end of
my trip and I have time to improve my condition(some perfume)after long
jorney. I want you to see me in good shape!Kiss you and do hope to kiss
you in person so
soon. we need to do it pretty fast, because we have no a lot of time
till my intervew,
if everything will be all  right I will be on this flight!my rent
address here is Russia,125839,Moscow,Chaikovskogo street ,build 59,room 284
,Sultanova Liliya.
they have told me that you may send it by Western Union. The manager
from the bank explained to me how  system works.All you need is my  name
and my surname and address to send me the money. Once you do
this ,I'll be able to pickup the money in any local Western Unuion
office in Moscow.info from the bank. ADMIRALTEYSKIY BANK Leningradskoe
shosse , 18 Moscow, 125821 Phone : (7) 095-7751643

[Maxx2]

Hey Louie I'll kick in half ($425) if you can have your future fiancee line me up with her sister/cousin/friend. Where and to whom should I send the WU? Do you need me to fill out a UMBRA form?

Maxx

[Louie]

Hey Maxx that's a deal, with one stipulation, if yours is better than mine we can trade.......Man they just dont give up do they!!

[BillyB]

Louie,

I haven't read any of the letters but looked at the pics first and knew that woman is a scammer. She's one of the more popular one's.

[Durk]

Hey Maxx that's a deal, with one stipulation, if yours is better than mine we can trade.......Man they just dont give up do they!!

           No they do not!    That girl has been on some US sites as well.

         The letters shure have a guilty,nervous tone to them. Picked that
  up in the first letter. Just another waste of time!!

                                                                              D

[beattledog]

She looks like a scammer

beattledog

[TexasBoar]

She looks like a scammer

beattledog

Kinda got them crime eyes, don't she?

~Boar

[Louie]

I googled her name and got nothing, so I thought I would play along, I haven't answered the request for money yet, I was thinking of playing the ya honey I sent it didn't you receive it? and do that until they catch on that I am screwing with them

[beattledog]

Yes, she does.  Eyes can tell it all.

beattledog

[prince_alfie]

Liar, liar, au contraire! 

[golden25]

I googled her name and got nothing, so I thought I would play along, I haven't answered the request for money yet, I was thinking of playing the ya honey I sent it didn't you receive it? and do that until they catch on that I am screwing with them

Yes Louie - I think its a good idea  to play along with this scammer, here's something you could try, send $1.00 via western union, with the western union service you can also include a message that is either given to or spoken to the receiver,  the message could read something like this . GET A REAL JOB YOU LAZY ___ ___ RUSKY.

   You know its obvious to me how America after 200 years of history rose to be a super power, its simple -a strong work ethic, its also obvious to me how after 800 years of recorded history Russia is in the state it is in, simply put - a lack of work ethic.

[BC]

It's not even worth a dollar to follow up if you think it's a scam.. use your energy to move on.

Scammers are everywhere it has nothing to do with a single country or people.  In fact I would bet that quite a few of these scams have home bases in the US..

But I'm not gonna call names..

[jb]

Golden25,

There are, I hope, many here who will take offense from your last post.  I know I do.  Within Russia there are thousands,,, no, make that millions, of good, honest, hard working, and very ordinary people who have a work ethic every bit as strong and bright as yours.  You have generalized a condemnation of an entire race, lumped them all into a basket of bad apples.

Every country has it's share of crooks and grifters.   Russia is no different.  The reason these men who are seeking the MOB fantasy bride are seeing so many shady characters is that they constantly put themselves in front of the thieves.  They are practically begging for someone to pick their pocket.  It has been well documented over and over that the MOB industry is full of dishonest operators and con men, if you associate long enough with these people, you will get clipped.  The problem is; these men do not realize they are ready made marks for the con because of the nature of the internet, it's not a place where you can sit down and look your adversary in the eye.  Because Fat Yuri can so easily hide behind the photos of a slim and good looking girl, because the *mark* is so often a willing victim, because so often the personality lurking behind the pretty face in the photo is little more than a guttersnipe and a prostitute, because very often the pretty face has an agenda other than the *cozy home and loving family*, because of the fantasy of "younger and prettier" has been so neatly sold time and time again, etc., etc.  Need I go on and on?

I don't know what bad experience you've had to arrive at your conclusions, but I'd almost bet it was in the nature of a  *One Week Wonder*.

[golden25]

Golden25,


I don't know what bad experience you've had to arrive at your conclusions, but I'd almost bet it was in the nature of a  *One Week Wonder*.

  What i wrote had nothing to do with a good or bad experience i had, my conclusions are based upon information i gained while listening to my ex wife explain about Russian life, hers while she lived in Russia, her friends, her relatives, i am sure this is not indicative of all Russians, never the less overall what i said is true, America is a super power after 200 years, Russia is not after 800 years. maybe someone can explain why that is.  oh yes blame communism, however they were stronger under communism than they now. You know I even told my ex wife the same words { while we were still married } that i wrote before in this posting and she agreed with me.  not only did she agree with me she went on to give me an example of poor ethics-  in Russia you certainly would not be allowed to fill you car with fuel and then go in and pay afterwards because an average Russian person would simply wave good bye to the attendant get in their car and leave. while most places in America and Europe allow people to fuel and then pay. I could tell the mind set of what she was telling me was this, if your dumb enough to let me fuel my car without paying then you deserve what you get. anyway I am sorry if you or others take offense to this, but the generalization I made about poor work ethics [ and now poor ethics in general in this posting}  was based upon the words given to me by a person who lived in Russia for 40 years. I even said to my ex wife it sounds to me like allot of Russian people are lazy and dishonest, she said yes they are, and she certainly was living proof of it as well.

JB - as far as a *One Week Wonder* to be real honest with you i am not sure what that is. maybe you would explain for me?

[Jack]

...."I googled her name and got nothing".....

Louie, smart scammers also know about Google and Yahoo. Once there name appears, guess what? They change names.

On page 3 of the scammers section you will see a thread titled "List of current scammers".  At the time I was putting this list together to post, Tatyana, who was very active, relocated from the far east, Vladivostk, to Moscow.

You will see the first report on Tatyana on the 5th post from the bottom of page 2 and an updated post on Tatiana (she changed names) on the 3rd post of page 7.




........."Tatyana Sannikova, from Vladivostok has done fairly well over the past 6 months and has relocated to Moscow.  Tatyana seems to have also changed her name a bit and now prefers to be called Tatiana Sokolova. ".......

[Jack]

I was checking the AFA website some time ago and while looking at the photos of there Moscow tour saw this photo. I thought the woman looked familar so saved her photo.

[Jack]

If you look at the AFA website today and you look under the tours link, Volgograd, will see this photo of one of the ladies attending there Volgograd social.

I bet these guys never knew what hit them until 3-4 months later. 

[Louie]

I haven't written her back, and I haven't heard a word from her, she must have so many scams going at one time and only sends the canned letters to who write her

[Durk]

     Louie your girl is in Jack's list of current scammers!! Check it out. She was also on Love
     Access some time ago. Looked at this when Jack was telling you.

                                                                                                 D   

[Louie]

Ya, I saw it too, but didnt think to check when she was writing me, no problem though, new it was a scam from the git go

[prince_alfie]

Same clothes, same hair color! ohoh, a professional dater at work here.

[Turboguy]

Poor sucker in the second photo probably thought he had hit gold.   She probably was the one who hit gold.

[beattledog]

Yes, the gold that she hit was his pocket book.

beattledog