Hellow and looking for advice

[Ooooops]

I'm looking at the visa and I don't see where it says Category.

Look at the very right end of that picture across from photograph - it says "Visa Type/Class".   I can't see what letter is has, though, because scan is pretty bad quality.    When I went to US on tourist visa (long-long time ago) it was "R".

[Ade]

Wonderful story Muck.
Good to hear the positive and not all negative.
Beautiful children as well. You must be proud.

I'm looking at the visa and I don't see where it says Category. I do see where it was issued on 26June2008 and expires 16June2009. I'll attach it.

I called her this morning about 9am her time and we had another wonderful talk. Info I got out of her (sounds like Gitmo huh?) She has never been on a dating site before and had just started with this one. She has two friends that found men in USA and they are both happy here. I went into the conversation with different eyes (thanks to you guys) and frankly I didn't feel anything that set off any red flags. Very normal conversation about typical subjects.
I brought up traveling here and we both agreed that it was, in her words "pretty fast".

After the conversation I did some soul searching and decided to go for it.
I got the ticket as well as filled out the form to allow her to travel on a ticket I purchased.

We talked again just a bit ago and she was all about what to bring? How is the weather? What do you want from Russia? typical stuff.

We'll see.

Good luck dude.

But I would remove the visa scan. Not good post other peoples private documents on the web. If you would like someone else here to look it over then mail it to them privately. I'm sure there will be lots of people will to take a peek.

[Ade]

Look at the very right end of that picture across from photograph - it says "Visa Type/Class".   I can't see what letter is has, though, because scan is pretty bad quality.    When I went to US on tourist visa (long-long time ago) it was "R".

Looks like an R to me.

[ECOCKS]

James:

You need to take that off the internet. Privacy violation. You could try to use an editor to blank off her identifying info and repost.

[Ooooops]

BTW, we used to live in Houston.       If this lady will come to visit you, make sure that you take her to Louisiana Crawfish Boil place (Galveston has few with nice waterfront views)!   "Raki" (раки) - crawfish are very popular in Russia and quite hard to find in the States outside of Deep South...   

[Ooooops]

But I would remove the visa scan. Not good post other peoples private documents on the web.

Agree. 

Looks like an R to me.

I pulled out my old Soviet passport to check.       Yep, when I went to US on tourist visa I had Visa Type - R, Class - B2.   But on that scan it looks like Class is B1/B2, so it goes very well with the story about adoptions (B1 is business, if I'm not mistaken) ... 

[JamesDH]

You need to take that off the internet. Privacy violation. You could try to use an editor to blank off her identifying info and repost.

DONE!!

What was I thinking?

It does look like an R to me and I see the B1/B2 as well.

Crawfish you say?
I love mud bugs.

I think we're going to have a great time.

[Ooooops]

Crawfish you say?
I love mud bugs.

Stop teasing me!!!     :evil:    I love'em but can't get any in Hong Kong, only in China and they still not the same as Louisiana style...   

Good luck and have fun!   

[SANDRO43]

I love'em but can't get any in Hong Kong, only in China and they still not the same as Louisiana style...

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa7gT2V8WE4[/youtube]

Here's to stimulate your appetite

[Ooooops]

Here's to stimulate your appetite

 

Sandro, how could you find it in such short notice???   

[SANDRO43]

Sandro, how could you find it in such short notice???   

Googling "youtube crawfish elvis", I remembered that song from from King Creole (1958) .

[Faux Pas]

Stop making a habit of misrepresenting what I say.

Nice avoidance. There's no misrepresentation. It's an honest question. If you're ashamed to answer it just say so. You're the big spender buying tickets for women you haven't met and recommending everyone else should spend likewise.

See above and go read my posts again.

I read your post the first time. You seem to be confused as to whom you are speaking. You said you bought your fiancee's ticket prior to meeting her. Did you shell out $2400 for her first ticket before you met her?

Because it was from you? You are kidding me right? You honestly think I really give damn about you? 

You have a habit of making snide juvenile remarks to my posts. They obviously bother you in some form. So yeah, I guess you do give a damn about me. Your advice was bad and your attempt to deflect it is noted. Am I surprised? No, just more of your unabated arrogance.

Yeah, life is harsh. What I find bizarre is that people here make absolute judgements on very little information, extrapolating to the extreme to reach conclusions which are fragile at best.

You mean like yeah send $2400 to a woman you don't know because you have nothing to lose?

I see nothing in what James has said that fingers this woman as a scammer. All I see are a few proclaiming that there's a 99% chance that she is with absolutely no evidence other than she happens to have a tourist visa.

That is likely because you just don't see. Two major flags are 1) the tourist visa is one of the oldest and often used scams. 2) extracting money for her to visit him is usually a hinge pin to that particular scam. Yes, you just don't see. Have you ever in your life that it possible, if only for a split second, that you don't know everything about everything? James is new to this search. These things should be pointed out to him. What he chooses to do with the info is completely up to him.

Could she be? Yes, of course there's always a risk, but given what we know there is as much chance that the woman you are seeing is a GCG. Why not dump her just in case?

Okay, if you had read my posts you'd likely had read where I also stated the non-flags where the lady could be real and sincere. I urged caution. You urged sending the money all else be damned. Your attempts to reconstruct what I stated as to "dump her" are noted as are your comprehension skills.

[Ooooops]

Googling "youtube crawfish elvis", I remembered that song from from King Creole (1958) .

You know what?   Next time instead of Googling something I'll just ask you!!!   

Thanks, Sandro, that's a really NO song!   

[SANDRO43]

Thanks, Sandro, that's a really NO song!   

I agree, possibly the least memorable - musically wise - of the whole movie soundtrack:

- King Creole
- As Long As I Have You
- Hard Headed Woman
- Trouble
- Dixieland Rock
- Don't Ask Me Why
- Love Doll
- Crawfish
- Young Dreams
- Steadfast, Loyal And True
- New Orleans

Hard Headed Woman, Trouble, and Dixieland Rock were not bad for the times (1958), but I don't expect you heard them, they pre-date you somewhat .

[Ooooops]

Hard Headed Woman, Trouble, and Dixieland Rock were not bad for the times (1958), but I don't expect you heard them, they pre-date you somewhat .

Somewhat is pretty generously put....       I was born in 1964, but still love Elvis!   "He didn't die, he just went home" (c)   And I believe in it.   

[SANDRO43]

This was the first intimation we received in 1956 of the "new music" from the USA:

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5fsqYctXgM[/youtube]

shortly followed by:

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rpn_7OMV0c&feature=related[/youtube]

I still have the original 45 RPMs I bought at the time. Could understand only a word in ten of what Elvis was singing then .

[Ade]

Nice avoidance. There's no misrepresentation. It's an honest question. If you're ashamed to answer it just say so. You're the big spender buying tickets for women you haven't met and recommending everyone else should spend likewise.

Did you ever see me say that he should send money or that anyone else should for that matter? Did you ever read a post where I said I sent money? FWIW it would be pretty dumb to send a wad of cash to someone you'd never met. Have you ever done it?

Stop misrepresenting my posts and inferring shit that isn't there.

I read your post the first time. You seem to be confused as to whom you are speaking. You said you bought your fiancee's ticket prior to meeting her. Did you shell out $2400 for her first ticket before you met her?

Dude, you really have a stick up your arse about me don't you?
Yes, I paid for her flight to SPB to meet me for the first time. It was a risk I chose to take after speaking with her for long enough to satisfy any of my concerns; I happen to trust my judgement of people. Do you?

You have a habit of making snide juvenile remarks to my posts. They obviously bother you in some form. So yeah, I guess you do give a damn about me. Your advice was bad and your attempt to deflect it is noted. Am I surprised? No, just more of your unabated arrogance.

You are kidding right? I think you have that backwards; take a look at the personal insults in your posts to me in this thread alone.

You mean like yeah send $2400 to a woman you don't know because you have nothing to lose?

That is likely because you just don't see. Two major flags are 1) the tourist visa is one of the oldest and often used scams. 2) extracting money for her to visit him is usually a hinge pin to that particular scam. Yes, you just don't see. Have you ever in your life that it possible, if only for a split second, that you don't know everything about everything?

The thing is with these "red flags" that everyone is so hysterical about is that they are not absolutes and they should be taken in context. People should use a little common sense when evaluating the signs and think a little. A tourist visa in the hands of a 44 year old woman does not scream "SCAMMER" to me particularly when you take James' other tidbits of info into account.

Use a little common sense.

James is new to this search. These things should be pointed out to him. What he chooses to do with the info is completely up to him.

James has been to the FSU and it seems he has a better grasp of the situation than you seeing as he's the one talking to the woman.

Okay, if you had read my posts you'd likely had read where I also stated the non-flags where the lady could be real and sincere. I urged caution. You urged sending the money all else be damned.

Go on, go for it show me where I said or even inferred, "send the money and all else be damned".

[Faux Pas]

Did you ever see me say that he should send money or that anyone else should for that matter? Did you ever read a post where I said I sent money? FWIW it would be pretty dumb to send a wad of cash to someone you'd never met. Have you ever done it?

Stop misrepresenting my posts and inferring *snip* that isn't there.

Please point out the misrepresentation. You said you bought your fiancee's ticket before you met her. I asked you if you paid $2400. If not how much did you pay? Where's the misrepresentation or the infer? Simply answer the question or shut up about it. I haven't mention squat about sending her money. Please stay on topic.

Dude, you really have a stick up your arse about me don't you?

Actually no. I realize you find this hard to believe but, the whole world isn't about "you". I've tried to point out to James the fallacy of your logic. Yet you seem to persist that it is logical but don't provide anything than your belief.
 

Yes, I paid for her flight to SPB to meet me for the first time. It was a risk I chose to take after speaking with her for long enough to satisfy any of my concerns; I happen to trust my judgement of people. Do you?

Good for you. I am glad it worked out for you.  I trust my judgement of people everyday. In fact I am trusting my judgement of you this very minute

You are kidding right? I think you have that backwards; take a look at the personal insults in your posts to me in this thread alone.

Please find in that post a personal insult to you. I have tossed some out to you in the past and even in this thread as a rebuttal to your infantile remarks

The thing is with these "red flags" that everyone is so hysterical about is that they are not absolutes and they should be taken in context. People should use a little common sense when evaluating the signs and think a little. A tourist visa in the hands of a 44 year old woman does not scream "SCAMMER" to me particularly when you take James' other tidbits of info into account.

Use a little common sense.

It really is a shame that you are the only one with a little common sense. Perhaps you can excuse our ignorance. Nobody ever said they were absolutes. James doesn't know and he is the one talking with the woman whether it is a scam or not. The other "tibbits" of a positive nature were explained to James as well. You gave your opinion and James can weigh it with the rest of the information. Why do you have this need to disparage and ridicule others for giving solid advice? Can you ever respectfully disagree without the snide juvenile remarks?

James has been to the FSU and it seems he has a better grasp of the situation than you seeing as he's the one talking to the woman.

I recall him stating he hasn't been to the FSU and this is his first foray with a RW. If I am wrong here, I stand corrected.

Go on, go for it show me where I said or even inferred, "send the money and all else be damned".

You did and I would if I actually cared but, I don't

[OlgaH]

Yes, I paid for her flight to SPB to meet me for the first time. It was a risk I chose to take after speaking with her for long enough to satisfy any of my concerns; I happen to trust my judgement of people. Do you?

Robert also paid for my flight to Moscow to meet me for the first time. He even did not ask me. He just paid (the round trip) after our discussion of meeting and date arrangement and after called me, also I received call from our local Aeroflot agency. From Moscow we went to SPB and he again did not allow me to pay for the train tickets. 

[ECOCKS]

Did he do it after less than 2 weeks, 5-6 emails and a single phone call?

Oh, and was the amount into 4 digits?

[ECOCKS]

BTW FP, James did mention in about his 3rd post (I think) that he had travelled in Russia several times. I don't think he mentioned specific places though.

He's a big boy and has plenty of information now. Apparently he's a bit more cautious and figuring out how he will verify things to decide whether he's going to do this or not.

[OlgaH]

Did he do it after less than 2 weeks, 5-6 emails and a single phone call?

I will borrow the SeriouslyJaded's words (if he lets me) - after speaking with each other for long enough to satisfy any of our concerns 

Oh, and was the amount into 4 digits?

I don't know...  I guess if to sum all his expenses there will be 5 digits amount. No, I don't advise to follow to our example. As you said there are big boys who are able to think for themselves Robert and I both took a risk, especially when he gave me a cross pendant, a present from his father, and made his proposal and I accept it during our first meeting.   

[Faux Pas]

BTW FP, James did mention in about his 3rd post (I think) that he had travelled in Russia several times. I don't think he mentioned specific places though.

Then I was wrong and I stand corrected.

He's a big boy and has plenty of information now. Apparently he's a bit more cautious and fiuring out how he will verify things to decide whether he's going to do this or not.

Agreed. And too much information is rarely a bad thing

[ECOCKS]

I will borrow the SeriouslyJaded's words (if he lets me) - after speaking with each other for long enough to satisfy any of our concerns 

I don't know...  I guess if to sum all his expenses there will be 5 digits amount. No, I don't advise to follow to our example. As you said there are big boys who are able to think for themselves Robert and I both took a risk, especially when he gave me a cross pendant, a present from his father, and made his proposal and I accept it during our first meeting.   

Yes, and James is asking our opinions regarding doing this after less than 2 weeks, a few emails and 1 long phone call. Several people are pointing out that doing this at this point is not recommended for a variety of reasons. Then a couple are pointing out that advising someone to do this in this short a time period and with such little communication is not wise also. 

Wow, a 5 digit, first date just for your gal's air fare and expenses in Moscow? That must have been fun. Everyone has their own budget though. I know you said all his expenses and we don't know whether James is thinking he would put her in a hotel or what types of activities they might indulge in during her stay. Still I wouldn't have thought an internal plane fare to Moscow would have been anywhere around $2400.

[OlgaH]

Yes, and James is asking our opinions regarding doing this after less than 2 weeks, a few emails and 1 long phone call. Several people are pointing out that doing this at this point is not recommended for a variety of reasons. Then a couple are pointing out that advising someone to do this in this short a time period and with such little communication is not wise also. 

As I have understood the Jame's lady has her visa and she doesn't ask for money, more over she already visited US before. If she would like to visit James and he is interested in her... so why not?  Of course I would not suggest to send her a "bag" of money after short communication period, SeriouslyJaded was not talking about sending money either, he mentioned e-ticket,  but I think James can figure this out for himself.   

Still I wouldn't have thought an internal plane fare to Moscow would have been anywhere around $2400.

Did anybody say that an internal plane fare to Moscow is around $2400?