How Does She Do It?

[Renorick]

For the past couple of months, I've been getting e-mails from a beautiful Russian Lady after placing a personal's ad on Craig's List. Because of the typical long, flowery messages with very few questions ever answered at first, I had assumed she was trying to scam me. So, I played along, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

True to form, she said she wanted to come visit, especially since the Real Estate office she works in is shutting down for 10 weeks for re-modeling. It all seemed too convenient, as I'm sure you'll all agree.

Naturally, I've been expected the request to wire money so she can fly here. So, I mentioned that right now, since business is bad here, I'm pretty broke, but my understanding has always been that she cannot get a tourist visa and the only way she can visit here is if I travel there first, after which she can get a fiancee visa. The place she lives in is Central Russia, a town called Aradack, near Saratov, and would be very difficult for an inexperienced traveler to reach.

Anyway, I'm now beginning to believe she's for real. She insists that because she's travelled so much before, all over Europe, and has always returned home, she will qualify. She also says she had a friend and co-worker who managed to travel to New York to meet someone she met on line who and who did not visit her first.  I have lots of pictures proving she's traveled extensively, but I know it's a lot easier for Russian Women to visit Europe than the US.

So, just to see where it was going, I told her that I would not be able to take off work the entire time she was here, and that she might be left alone a lot at night. She came back saying she had a pretty good savings, could afford her own ticket, and will also bring plenty of spending money.

So, I'm beginning to wonder if she really can do it under those circumstances. If I'd known in the beginning she might be an exception and can really do it, I'd probably have told her to not move so fast, but on the other hand, she IS pretty hot, and very intelligent and conversant in English.

So, does anyone know of cases where Russian women really CAN get tourist visas and come visit without being visited first? The only possible scam, if she actually makes the trip, would be that she is hoping to get married in order to gain residency, after which she'd split.  She's pretty head-strong and seems to be moving things along very quickly, yet continues to assure me she can handle all the expenses!

[groovlstk]

All else being equal, do you really expect any self-respecting, decent woman to travel 5000 miles to meet a virtual stranger on his own turf?

Saratov is not a difficult place to visit, there is rail service there. If you are serious about meeting her grow a pair and hop on a plane.

All I've said is irrelevant anyway, as this is a common scam. She'll have her plane tickets and visa and at the last moment something will happen and you'll need to wire her $$.

[Gator]

...she IS pretty hot, and very intelligent and conversant in English.

Such women do not lack for male attention in Russia.

If such a woman has money to travel, they will travel to meet a female friend who has already moved to America (and there are RW everywhere in the USA) or take an escorted tour.

Some serious questions:

Is she the type of woman you normally attract in your hometown?

What would compel her to select you from the 10,000 men or so who are on Craig's list?

Is where you live a tourist mecca?

What are your ages?

[Renorick]

All else being equal, do you really expect any self-respecting, decent woman to travel 5000 miles to meet a virtual stranger on his own turf?

Saratov is not a difficult place to visit, there is rail service there. If you are serious about meeting her grow a pair and hop on a plane.

All I've said is irrelevant anyway, as this is a common scam. She'll have her plane tickets and visa and at the last moment something will happen and you'll need to wire her $$.

Well, that's what I think will happen.  I don't plan on sending any money and won't get tricked into it, but she's taken it so far I'm beginning to wonder if she's for real.   But, my question was whether there are any exceptions under which Russian women really CAN get tourist visas.  I've always understood that it can't be done.

[viking]

Reply to: pers-686631521@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-05-19, 8:27PM MSD


I am placing this ad to warn any men who maybe contacted by this lady: Svetlana Kajumowa.

To make a long story short, we corresponded with each other for one month which lead to her travelling to Moscow to hop on a plane to come visit me here in Canada. This was a VERY good scam as she even provided me with a copy of her visa in the hopes that I would send her $995 US dollars "to complete the trip" to come visit me. Upon further investigation, the bank she told me to wire tranfer the funds to was not located in Moscow, nor would she give me the phone number where she was staying or more importantly the travel agency she was dealing with so I could verify her pending trip.

Needless to say, she has since disappeared and stopped emailing me so I am enclosing her pictures so no one else is scammed by this lady.  


    
  

[Renorick]

Such women do not lack for male attention in Russia.

If such a woman has money to travel, they will travel to meet a female friend who has already moved to America (and there are RW everywhere in the USA) or take an escorted tour.

Some serious questions:

Is she the type of woman you normally attract in your hometown?

What would compel her to select you from the 10,000 men or so who are on Craig's list?

Is where you live a tourist mecca?

What are your ages?

Excellent questions.   I live in Reno, Nevada, which IS a tourist Mecca.  It's similar to Las Vegas, but much smaller.  But, there is actually more to do here, since we live close to the mountains with lots of outdoor activity.  Now there is a bit of an age seperation, since I am 59 and she is 36.  I'm honest about my age, but I do look much younger and I'm pretty fit.  So, even in the US, I don't have much trouble attracting women even as young as 25.  However, I'm not well-off, so I'd think that if an attractive Russian woman had the financial means to travel to the US, she'd find a much younger guy with much better financial means.

[viking]

Forgot to mention that this ad was not placed by me, but found on craiglist. Just one example.

[Renorick]

Forgot to mention that this ad was not placed by me, but found on craiglist. Just one example.

Funny thing is, the lady in the picture on the Visa looks identical to the woman in a banner ad that keeps appearing on this page.

I guess I'm a bit jaded, but if she's really coming here, I don't see a down side, since I really have nothing she could take from me.  If nothing develops, she looks like she'd be fun to spend time with. 

Now, I know a lot of guys will wait for the request for money, then reverse the scam and send the lady on a wild goose chase with lots of false Western Union tracking numbers.  So, I'm just waiting to see how this plays out.

[Faux Pas]

Funny thing is, the lady in the picture on the Visa looks identical to the woman in a banner ad that keeps appearing on this page.

I guess I'm a bit jaded, but if she's really coming here, I don't see a down side, since I really have nothing she could take from me.  If nothing develops, she looks like she'd be fun to spend time with. 

Now, I know a lot of guys will wait for the request for money, then reverse the scam and send the lady on a wild goose chase with lots of false Western Union tracking numbers.  So, I'm just waiting to see how this plays out.

Renorick

I don't think any of the posters here have any doubt that you are on the front end of a scam. I am one of them. But you mentioned several times "she moved really fast".....just how fast are you talking about? A week? Month? Two months?

It would be difficult for most here to encourage you on this woman. Too many strikes and red flags from the onset and we've all seen it before. Are you having regular telephone conversations or skype? Your information is limited but honestly, it doesn't look good at all. There's one born every second and they make money from that fact.

[BC]

Funny thing is, the lady in the picture on the Visa looks identical to the woman in a banner ad that keeps appearing on this page.

I guess I'm a bit jaded, but if she's really coming here, I don't see a down side, since I really have nothing she could take from me.  If nothing develops, she looks like she'd be fun to spend time with. 

Now, I know a lot of guys will wait for the request for money, then reverse the scam and send the lady on a wild goose chase with lots of false Western Union tracking numbers.  So, I'm just waiting to see how this plays out.

By all means  let it happen.. but never forget the wise words often quoted around here.. "If it is too good to be true......"

Keep your emotional involvement where it should be.. behind the start line.  All will go well from there.

[Renorick]

I've got my eyes wide open, and I don't believe she's actually coming here.  But, the one question I've asked that no one has answered yet, is whether you know of any exception wherein a Russian lady can actually get a tourist visa.

Oh, to answer a previous question, no I have not talked to her on the phone and it's too bad, since telephone rates to Russia are very low for me.  She claims not to have a phone, yet if she's a Real Estate Agent as she claims, a phone is an absolute necessity.  That's true here, and I'm sure it's true in Russia.  Also, she asked me to snail-mail her some brocuhures and pictures of Reno.  Now, she gave me her first name, Katya, or Ekaterina, but when I asked her for her full last name, she said it was not necessary as mail would get to her in any case. 

Look, I know it's a scam...I'm just trying to figure it out. 

[BC]

Yes, Russian women can get tourist visas if they meet all the requirements.

[Faux Pas]

I've got my eyes wide open, and I don't believe she's actually coming here.  But, the one question I've asked that no one has answered yet, is whether you know of any exception wherein a Russian lady can actually get a tourist visa.   

Yes tourist visas are granted. The last reliable information I saw was 7% were granted to Eastern European females who applied. The requirements are quite frankly out of reach for an average FSUW. The documentation and asset requirements are difficult for most.

[Renorick]

Yes tourist visas are granted. The last reliable information I saw was 7% were granted to Eastern European females who applied. The requirements are quite frankly out of reach for an average FSUW. The documentation and asset requirements are difficult for most.

OK, that makes sense.  This girl apparently does well, but not THAT well.  She's probably better than average.  It makes sense that if they granted a tourist visa, they would want to know she had plenty of incentive to return home.   If she was telling the truth, it might help her that she's traveled all over Europe and always returned.  That much I know is true, and she can prove it with her passport.

[viking]

Visa. It's not just the money. Many Russians travel. A two-three hour flight can land them in 10 different countries. It is about coming here. They need to show they own property, have close family ties (children for example), steady employment, etc,, and it is VERY hard to get one. That kind of travel has no bearing on coming to the states.

Phone. EVERY woman has one, unless she lives way out in the sticks and even then. Period.

Mail. Same as here. No ticket, no shirt as they say. Last name required. BTW. Did you try and google the address?

If you can really admit it is a scam, which it is, there is no need to "figure it out". It will all become transparent, sooner or later. Some take their time. One man I know corresponded for 8 months before the request came in. Finally sent her $700, and then bye bye.

Finally, since you never spoke with her on the phone,,,,,how do you really know it is a SHE? Hmmm.

[ScottinCrimea]

Some quick checking showed that there is a very active scammer using this visa/travel scam who goes by many names and cities, one of these being Ekaterina from Saratov.  No question - no phone, no last name = 100% scam.

I'm sure, like many others before you, you are holding out that small thought in the back of your mind that just maybe she is the real thing and so will consider sending money based on that sliver of fantasy/hope. DON"T!!

[Renorick]

Some quick checking showed that there is a very active scammer using this visa/travel scam who goes by many names and cities, one of these being Ekaterina from Saratov.  No question - no phone, no last name = 100% scam.

I'm sure, like many others before you, you are holding out that small thought in the back of your mind that just maybe she is the real thing and so will consider sending money based on that sliver of fantasy/hope. DON"T!!

No, there is absolutely no chance I will send money.  You can trust me on that one!   But, if she has any thought to doing that, I'll probably do what so many others have done and send her on a wild goose chase. 

Now, if "she" was a "he," and was able to actually get a ticket and Visa for Reno, you can just imagine how I'd handle Yuri when he got off the plane!     Anyway, "Katya" does not say she's in Saratov, just in a smaller town called Aradak, which is near Saratov.  I'd post a picture, but I can't find the links to upload pictures.  Still, some of you seem able to do it without having to first uplaod it to a web site and post a link.

[viking]

Sometimes I need to download a photo to 'my pictures" and then upload to this site for the pics to post.

[Renorick]

Sometimes I need to download a photo to 'my pictures" and then upload to this site for the pics to post.

OK, but where are the links that allow you to upload a pic from "My Pictures," or to post one to your profile?

[SANDRO43]

OK, but where are the links that allow you
(1) to upload a pic from "My Pictures," or (2) to post one to your profile?

(1) When posting, click 'Additional Options...',  'Attach:', 'Choose' your local directory where the photo is stored, select the photo. 

(2) 'Personal CP' in menu at left, then 'Modify Profile' and 'Forum Profile Information'. Then either specify a URL, or a local directory as above.
 

[BillyB]

I mentioned that right now, since business is bad here, I'm pretty broke,

IF she's real and IF and when she comes, how do you plan on keeping her?

Too bad the rest of us aren't as lucky to have a rich, hot looking RW land on our doorsteps. And to think, we've been doing things the hard way to meet our RW. :noidea:

[Renorick]

OK..I got it figured out....posted a pic of myself on my profile, but no matter what I do, I show up as a female in Russia.  I see you all have the same problem!   But yes, I am 59 and that IS a very current picture.  I'll be 60 in July.

Also figured out how to post a picture of the lady in case any of you have seen her on any scammer's lists.

I don't expect her to show up, and never believed it.  However if she suprised me, I have a nice little place and no problem having her here. 

[Doll]

Guys why would you place here the pictures of real people?
Renorick , is it this lady in the picture?

[Renorick]

Yes, this is the lady.  I think I already explained why I posted it here, to see if anyone has seen her on any of the scammer's lists.

[Doll]

Code: [Select]

So, does anyone know of cases where Russian women really CAN get tourist visas and come visit without being visited first?I personally did it in 2000.