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Author Topic: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.  (Read 15738 times)

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Offline solzhenitsynfan

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Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« on: April 09, 2009, 11:56:16 AM »
I just found this forum and I am desperate.  I will introduce myself properly once this issue is resolved.  I would greatly appreciate some help from the experts as I am very new to this game

I recently met a girl on the Blossoms.com website.  We have exchanged many very long and detailed emails on almost a daily basis and I am having a very hard time believing that someone has the time to spend on these very detailed emails that have been responsive to most of what I have written.  This person has never brought up the issue of money.  Here is a copy of my most recent email sent to her and a copy of her most recent email to me:

For those of you who are experienced you will be able to quickly assess the situation, I am sure.  All the signs are present, but nothing is yet confirmed as far as I can tell.  Maybe I am in denial.

Dear Aniya,

How can you announce to me that you are in love with me?  We have only been in contact for less than two weeks and you haven't even met me yet?  I want to be very honest with you.  Your letters have become a very important part of my life too.  For many days we have written each other.  This past Sunday came and I received no response from you.  This made me start to worry, but only a little.  Then Tuesday and Wednesday passed without a response and you offered no explanation in your most recent email today.  Why did you not at least offer an explanation?  You know that I feel the same way about hearing from you, so I have become very worried.  There are many very sophisticated scammers that are pretending to be beautiful women from Russia and I have to make sure that everything you say is true.  If you are real and you actually have fallen in love with me then you will do everything possible to make this work.  I am not trying to offend you.  I simply must be very careful.  I very much hope that you will do everything you can to help me.  I am going to tell you what I have done and exactly what I need you to do.  As long as you do everything that I ask, things will work out for us.  I am sure of it.  If you do not follow my directions, then I will know that something is not right.

Here is what I have done:
1) I have sent a telegram and a gift to you using a reliable gift delivery service.  I learned today that this order has been cancelled.  The delivery service has informed me that the address that you gave me is not valid and that a woman by the name of Aniya Zinatullina does not live at this address.  In addition, I had this Flower Service to call the phone number that you gave me in your recent email.  They tried to call that number at around 1900 Moscow time.  The number was not a working number when they tried to call.  I have also tried to call this number at exactly 2100 on Thursday per your instructions and this number is still not working.  I have tried again at 2130 with the same result.  I hope you can see why I have become very worried and very sad.
2) I have performed an internet search on the name Aniya Zinatullina from Nizhny with the email address an.zinatullina@xxxxxx.  The result is at the bottom of this email.  This search shows that a woman by the name of Aniya Zinatullina from nizhny novgorod has been advertising with four different email addresses.  You claim to only use one email address.  This Aniya claims that she does not have a phone in three instances.  Also she has been using online dating agencies since November of 2007.  You claim that you have been using online services for only one month.  I am not saying that you are being dishonest.  I am just showing you what I have found.  Can you explain this?
3) I sent you an email to ask you questions which I already knew the answer to.  This was for purposes of verification.  I did not forget the names of your friends and family.

Here is what I need you to do:
I need you to call the Flamingo Flower Service
Their Toll Free Number in Russia is: 88002002357
The Order Number was XXXXXXXXX and it was from XXXXXXXXXXX
Explain to them why they were unable to contact you and give them the proper phone number and address so that you may receive these gifts.  If the address and phone number are different than what you have told me then I will need an explanation before I reactivate the order.
Tell them to please contact me immediately so that we can reactivate this order.
When you receive the gifts make sure that you have them take a photo of you with the gifts.  Also you can have a friend or family member take the photo of you with these gifts and you can email this image to me.
My phone number is XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Since I am having trouble reaching you, I would greatly appreciate a phone call from you.  You may make it very brief since I know that it will be expensive.  I am able to call you right back.  I have many international minutes available to me.

I will respond to your most recent email when I have verified your existence.  I hope you are real, Aniya.  I really do.  I was planning to come visit you next month.  For some reason you have not responded to any of my comments or questions regarding a visit.  Why have you not responded to this?

Hoping to hear good news from you very soon!

John

[results of search not posted]

> Date: Thu, 9 Apr 2009 18:40:43 +0400
> From: an.zinatullina@xxxxx.ru
> To: XXX
> Subject: need you John
>
> hi dear, John!
> How - your mood? I hope, that up to my letter your mood was fine, but
> after my letter, your mood became high-quality (smile), I was probable
> is too self-assured. But I am happy again because I have again
> received your letter. I so waited within this minute, - when I can
> write to you John. Our friendship became the important part of my
> life, and I hope it in your life also. Sometimes I understand, that a
> string which connects me to you now, is not strongest. But I do not
> want, that this string has been torn. Right now I sit, and I smile
> simply because I am pleased, that again I can to divide with you my
> ideas John. Sometimes I so want, that you saw my smile during the
> similar moment because I think, that it - the most sincere smile! But
> sometimes my smile leaves me because I know, that now a unique thing
> which connects us - our ideas which we send each other, - the ideas
> transformed into the letters which are not capable to show all depth
> of ideas. But at the same time I understand, that nobody knows that
> waits for us in the future. I hope, that my words do not offend you,
> and it is possible you even think also, as I... I want to admit to you
> John, that after all your fine letters, and your fine words, I
> want to admit really to you, that I you love John, YES IT SO!!! I
> very much thought of that as to you to tell these words, but I the
> simple person and would be desirable to speak me with you simply, I
> know that all relations are under construction on trust to each other,
> and I trust you John.
> My love, if you will be capable to call in - Tuesday or on Thursday to
> me, I should wait for your bell at 21.00 and till 22.00 during Moscow
> time. By phone +7xxxxxxxxxxxxx. I I hope to hear your voice today. I want
> it, we with you were together as soon as possible. As only with you I
> shall be the happiest in this life!!!
> My address
> Russia 603000
> City Nizhniy Novgorod
> lenina street xx, apartment xx
> The Internet for acquaintances I approximately use month.
> And I am happy that have met you in this world!!! For such short time.
> I use only one address through which I speak with you!
> I do not understand but you again ask me about names my parents and
> friends. Really you do not remember it????
> Thanks for all your words. I am very pleased, that you have expressed
> me your opinion. It is pleasant for me for understanding, that I have
> the friend - the true person. I really do not understand, how people
> can be very malicious if they like each other. I do not remember, when
> last time I have become angry. I do not like to be malicious, and I do
> not like to quarrel. I know absolutely precisely, that any
> disagreements can be solved with a smile on the person. I try never to
> lift a voice. To compel me to shout easier than to do me mad. I like
> to measure people and when my friends in quarrel, I always operate as
> the peacemaker. When I am upset, it can be understood on my eyes.
> Svetlana speaks, that when I am upset, I have such sad eyes, that the
> ambassador seeing on me she wants to shout. Probably it - the truth
> because when I am upset, everyone notices it. I become silent and
> imperceptible. I as always conversation with people, I smile, but all
> the same everyone sees something not so with me. To bear quarrel in a
> bed or to leave a problem tomorrow day it is wrong. I never would do
> it. I never can be in a disagreement more than several minutes. I feel
> very much not conveniently if I am in a disagreement. Therefore I
> always try to settle at once. If people like each other and respect
> feelings and interests each other, I am confident John, that
> serious disagreements cannot take place. I always accept in attention
> opinion concerning other people; therefore I very seldom have
> disagreements with someone. I respect any opinion. And I am confident,
> that any quarrel can be discussed simply in silent conversation. It is
> enough to express your opinion and closely and yours faithfully to
> listen to opinion concerning your beloved. And the decision will
> arrive. Also what can be more pleasant, than a soft kiss after a short
> disagreement? Really John?
> Tomorrow difficult day waits for me. Probably tomorrow and the day
> after tomorrow I shall work outside of clinic. We name it - " the
> working day of trip ". It - difficult day. This day some doctors and
> experts of our clinic go by the special medical bus in the various
> remote small settlements, small villages in a thicket of a wood. They
> - poor villages which are located far from the big cities and
> settlements. In these villages there are no doctors and clinics, and
> people cannot visit clinic at any moment. In such villages there are
> always many people which require the doctor, but clinic itself cannot
> reach. Frequently it are people which are not capable to live without
> the help of other people, - basically - small children or old and weak
> weak people. We enter into these villages by the bus with all
> necessary equipment. People in these villages love us and wait more
> than something. But it - really firm work if to take into account,
> that we go there at 6:00, and we come back sometimes even after 22:00!
> But I shall wait your letter because our friendship and our relations
> gives force to me, and our dialogue - rest for my soul!
> The my dear friend John! I should go! Sincerely and with ideas on you.
> Your Aniya

Nations are the wealth of mankind, its collective personalities; the very least of them wears its own special colours and bears within itself a special facet of divine intention.
-A Solzhenitsyn

Offline Paul

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #1 on: April 09, 2009, 12:11:20 PM »
Welcome to RUA, solzhenitsynfan.

Do you think any real woman would have replied to your email with more than " :censored: off!"?

Offline Olga_Mouse

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #2 on: April 09, 2009, 12:13:35 PM »
John,

it might not be very vise to display your e-mail on an open forum...

Anyway, Зинатуллина sounds like quite a common Tatar last name to me - not Russian?

Do you have Russian roots yourself ( J.M.Ширяев)?
Leaving Russia is not an emigration, rather an evacuation.


Offline Manny

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #3 on: April 09, 2009, 12:13:49 PM »
Welcome to the forum! Yes, you have met a scammer.

Real Russian women do not fall in love with email correspondents.

The number given to you Googles up in Mari-el from what I can see here: http://www.rusphonesearch.ru/mobile-23/94/8840000/927/page2

I suspect your scammer is from Yoshkar Ola which is where many of the scam gangs operate from. The various e-mail addresses and other inconsistent information further support that this is not a real woman.

Real women have reachable numbers and addresses where stuff can be delivered. Scammers need not supply such stuff because they do not want gifts and flowers, they want Western Unions.

Dont even reply to this person again. Read all you can and you will soon see the errors you made. You are now in the right place. Welcome again.  :)
Read a trip report from North Korea >>here<< - Read a trip report from South Korea, China and Hong Kong >>here<<

Look what the American media makes some people believe:
Putin often threatens to strike US with nuclear weapons.

Offline Olga_Mouse

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #4 on: April 09, 2009, 12:15:42 PM »

Welcome to RUA, solzhenitsynfan.


Paul?!? Not Day_Dreamer anymore? Magic!  :bow:
Leaving Russia is not an emigration, rather an evacuation.

Offline Nessibelle

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #5 on: April 09, 2009, 12:20:59 PM »
Welcome, John. :party0011:
Olga is right, Zinatullina is a Tatar last name as well as the first name Aniya is.
I would give up the idea of corresponding with a woman if there are so many red flags (and that monstrous English). Why are you being so boring instead of just leaving her alone? ???

Offline Manny

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #6 on: April 09, 2009, 12:23:03 PM »
Further confirmation:

Quote from: Your scammer
> But I shall wait your letter because our friendship and our relations
> gives force to me, and our dialogue - rest for my soul!

is a re-work of this scammer: http://www.scammerlist.com/memberid/69150 who said:

Quote from: very similar scammer
But I will wait
your letter because our friendship gives force to me, and our dialogue
is a rest for my soul!
Read a trip report from North Korea >>here<< - Read a trip report from South Korea, China and Hong Kong >>here<<

Look what the American media makes some people believe:
Putin often threatens to strike US with nuclear weapons.

Offline Nessibelle

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #7 on: April 09, 2009, 12:24:19 PM »
Welcome to RUA, solzhenitsynfan.

Do you think any real woman would have replied to your email with more than " :censored: off!"?
She/he/they actually has/have not reply to this.))

Offline Paul

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #8 on: April 09, 2009, 12:33:54 PM »

Welcome to RUA, solzhenitsynfan.


Paul?!? Not Day_Dreamer anymore? Magic!  :bow:

The man behind the curtain is a pretty cool guy  :)

Welcome to RUA, solzhenitsynfan.

Do you think any real woman would have replied to your email with more than " :censored: off!"?
She/he/they actually has/have not reply to this.))

Nessibelle, I am just curious, how would you personally (any woman here can answer) reply to a man who accused you of being a scammer in the way John did to the person he was corresponding with?

Offline shakespear

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #9 on: April 09, 2009, 12:37:02 PM »
For those of you who are experienced you will be able to quickly assess the situation, I am sure.  All the signs are present, but nothing is yet confirmed as far as I can tell.  Maybe I am in denial.


Yep, you're in denial all right.  Obvious scammer.  Good detective work.  Don't lose any sleep about this girl(man).  Move on to the next.  

Good luck in your search.
"If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun" - Katharine Hepburn

Offline Nessibelle

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #10 on: April 09, 2009, 12:49:38 PM »
Nessibelle, I am just curious, how would you personally (any woman here can answer) reply to a man who accused you of being a scammer in the way John did to the person he was corresponding with?
If you need a serious answer:
If I really like a man who I correspond with, I would never do anything like giving him an invalid phone number and all that. But even if he still had some doubts, I could perfectly understand him, because no one can be sure without phone calls, skype and meeting in person. But I agree that John went too strong.

Offline jb

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #11 on: April 09, 2009, 02:29:35 PM »
There was once a good thread,,, either here or some other board entitled; "Sailing down De-Nile".  It was a good exercise in spotting fantasy as opposed to reality.  Oddly, it is a scammers best tool.  Once the fish is hooked he usually gets filleted, cleaned, and consumed.
I was anti-obama before it was cool

Offline solzhenitsynfan

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #12 on: April 09, 2009, 04:04:34 PM »
Yahoo!  More than a week of extensive email writing [flush].
Many thanks for the warm welcome and to everyone's quick responses.  A special big thanks to Manny.  This was very helpful.  I will try to respond appropriately.

First I want to give you a little background and introduction.  My current last name is a derivation of Shiraev.  I am a Russian descendant on my father's side.  I am a fan of Russian history, current events, and Russian Lit--namely Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and, of course Solzhenitsyn.  Recently I lost my girlfriend of 4 years and even more recently I have decided to make a trip to the FSU which I have always planned to do.  I decided to try to meet a lady online that I could visit when I got there.  I figured "why not kill two birds?  Who knows what could happen?"  I obviously had no clue what I was getting myself into.  So far I have spent $25 for access to blossoms where I have met some real women.  I have spent $40 at elenasmodels more recently and am yet to really test them out...more to come later I'm sure.  The money I spent on the flowers and champagne has been refunded.

>Do you think any real woman would have replied to your email with more than "  off!"?

Actually, I figured if this girl was really in love with me then she will not allow any hurdles to get in her way.  I am not afraid of making a woman angry, even if we have only recently met.  It's going to happen eventually anyway.  (I am not so good with the whole tact thing.  Maybe it's something I inherited?)

>it might not be very vise to display your e-mail on an open forum...

I agree.  I am a little bit heartsick and I needed some confirmation.  I should not have listed her email address since it was still in question.  Point taken.

>Do you have Russian roots yourself?

Yes on my father's side.  I think I am fourth generation American.  I don't speak a lick of Russian, but I am dying to learn it.  If anyone can help me find out more regarding the origins of my last name I would greatly appreciate it.  I am rather estranged from my family on my father's side.   There is a lot of alcoholism and drug addiction.

>Why are you being so boring instead of just leaving her alone?

Interesting word choice.  boring = stupid maybe?  Isn't that what we call a loaded question?  Ouch!
 tiphat

>John went too strong.

Given the circumstances, what should I have done differently? 

>Once the fish is hooked he usually gets filleted, cleaned, and consumed.

I hope I am only partially filleted.  Anyone got any stitches?  Or is this just a scratch?

P.S. Thanks for the tips shakespear and to everyone for the advice (and the jabs).  I have begun doing my homework and this forum is a killer find.

Cheers!


Nations are the wealth of mankind, its collective personalities; the very least of them wears its own special colours and bears within itself a special facet of divine intention.
-A Solzhenitsyn

Offline Manny

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #13 on: April 09, 2009, 04:14:25 PM »
Be sure not to get stiffed by the outdated $50 e-book at Elenas, and only use a disposable e-mail address with them as they will share it with internet marketers and other internet miscreants.  tiphat

About learning Russian, this topic is a great place to start.
Read a trip report from North Korea >>here<< - Read a trip report from South Korea, China and Hong Kong >>here<<

Look what the American media makes some people believe:
Putin often threatens to strike US with nuclear weapons.

Offline Brasscasing

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #14 on: April 09, 2009, 04:17:19 PM »
Welcome aboard Sol. :)
Yeah, unfortunately you've got a cut and paste letter there. :(
Well, now that your here the chances of something like this happening again have been greatly reduced.
I'm sorry this happened to you but better to find out now than kissing off money, time and emotional investment down the road. :)

Brass
“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind."  ~ John Diefenbaker

P.S....Unless you happen to live in Quebec and are subject to the Quebec Charter Of Values, of course.

Offline Wild Orchid

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #15 on: April 09, 2009, 04:40:59 PM »
Anyway, Зинатуллина sounds like quite a common Tatar last name to me - not Russian?


what does that have to do with anything? There are a lot of Tatars with surnames that sound like Russian. Do they have to disclose in first letter that they are Tatars? Woman lives in Russia, isn't it good enough?

Offline solzhenitsynfan

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #16 on: April 09, 2009, 05:14:26 PM »
I was tempted to buy that book.  I agree that it is probably outdated.  Worse than anything though is that it is way overpriced and extremely overmarketed.  Have you seen the tacky page where you purchase the book!  It is over a mile long.  I chose not to give in to the absurd amount of pressure coming from every possible angle.  I did get some interesting info off of her website though. 

Thanks for the heads up on the learning Russian thing.  I'll check it out.

Also, thanks for the sympathy Brass.  I think I may have dodged a bullet.  You can keep the casing if you like.
Nations are the wealth of mankind, its collective personalities; the very least of them wears its own special colours and bears within itself a special facet of divine intention.
-A Solzhenitsyn

Offline fireeater

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #17 on: April 09, 2009, 05:34:57 PM »
Welcome to the forum solzhenitsynfan.  :)

Sorry about your scammer, but they are a constant nuisance at times.

You do have a modify button on your posts so you can remove what you like, if need be later. Hit modify, then do whatever to te note, and hit save. 
 
 
 

GREGK

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #18 on: April 09, 2009, 05:37:26 PM »
I vaguely recall a current book about the process of meeting, courting, and marrying a RW. The title and author escape me at the moment........ ;D

Offline ECR844

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #19 on: April 09, 2009, 06:37:23 PM »
I vaguely recall a current book about the process of meeting, courting, and marrying a RW. The title and author escape me at the moment........ ;D

I heard it was recently updated and the guy who wrote it was on the radio one day with quite the cockney accent too...There were tales of how it is indeed possible to get your very own smokinhotkova. Maybe if I clicked on the 'Home icon' under the banner I'll get more info... :-X :popcorn: 8)

Offline Donhollio

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #20 on: April 09, 2009, 06:50:23 PM »
 Solenshilt-zi-ns-ona-fa :drunk:......... Hey new guy welcome  :)

http://www.russianwivesbook.com 

 Grab a copy of this gem, it's current and covers everything you need to know about starting out, to finding the proper sunlight on the street to check out your FSU's girl teeth! :innocent:

 For me I'd save the gift giving for until you meet her,and have spent some quaility time on the phone with her. Because it's really like trying to pin the tail on the beaver in the dark.  You can narrow your search down to a few or even one, but until you have met in person, you really have not much going on.
 
 

Offline Kimosabe

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #21 on: April 09, 2009, 07:23:52 PM »
I was tempted to buy that book. 

Hi Sol, welcome to RUA!!! tiphat

Yes, as you know now, you took the bait.  I feel your pain.  But, you really have to try hard to leave the emotion out of the letter writing process.  I mean, don't get too invested emotionally in someone you are writing to and have not met.  All the testosterone screws up your logical thought processes.  :laugh:

Manny is being way too modest, if that is the right word, by not pitching his book.  I read Elena's book years ago and thought it was OK. But, Manny's book ROCKS!   :THUB:  Do yourself a favor and order one ASAP, it will pay for itself in one date.  As for Elena's Models, the website, it is near the top of my list of reputable sites.  Lucky Lovers is number one.

Yoshlar-ola, Lugansk and the villiages close by, are known for high scammer activity. I think Lugansk is the capital city of scams.  Anyone want to add to the list?  Personally, I would right-off Odessa because it been fished heavily.  Fished?  More like trawled!   :laugh:



 

Offline Donhollio

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #22 on: April 09, 2009, 07:53:53 PM »
I would right-off Odessa because it been fished heavily.  Fished?  More like trawled!   :laugh: 

Quite true, but there are many wonderful girls that have never been listed on any agencys website living there. You just need a way in to meet them,and that is difficult if you have no contacts. Odessa is a nice city in the summer,but makes for a poor stop to look for agency girls.

Offline mendeleyev

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #23 on: April 09, 2009, 10:08:02 PM »
Sol, welcome to RUA.

Sorry that you hit a scammer. I don't know a lot about that particular agency but maybe some of our members can steer to toward less shark infested waters.

By the way, you handled it very well with instructions on how to follow up. Just keep in mind to use care because a girl whose English is perhaps a 3 to 4 out of 10 will never catch some of the naunces and will always make mistakes no matter how clear and direct we attempt to explain or direct something.

Scammers will often use someone else's address (much like identify theft) so we've removed the house and street numbers. I'd never post them on a scam site either--as you never know if an innocent and unknowing person could be hurt by having their info posted for all the world to see.

Her last name was interesting because I've worked on a project with someone who shares that name but I'll mention him in the next post in response to Wild Orchid.

Again, welcome!

Offline mendeleyev

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Re: Am I being scammed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
« Reply #24 on: April 09, 2009, 10:25:33 PM »
Quote
what does that have to do with anything? There are a lot of Tatars with surnames that sound like Russian. Do they have to disclose in first letter that they are Tatars? Woman lives in Russia, isn't it good enough?

WO, I agree wholeheartedly. It's interesting to know because very quickly by a last name one can make some usually close estimates of the background, religion and regional traditions about a person. But you are right--a Russian is a Russian is a Russian. Of course when you scratch a Russian it is a Tatar is a Tatar is a Tatar.  :)

I had the pleasure some time ago of meeting and briefly working on a project with Dr Konstantin Zinatullina, a professor from Kazan at the University. I know nothing of Tatar language, but enjoyed his explanations of Tatar culture. My wife says there is a respected artist (painter) from Vladivostok with this same name.