Russian Dating Scams: Lessons From eHarmony
Recently, Eharmony CEO Greg Waldorf gave an interesting Fox News interview that covered various issues associated with dating scams. Some of the tips can be applied in the context of Russian dating scams. Please read the following summarized points with quotes of eHarmony interview to have a safer online dating experience.
- No dating service can screen out all troublemakers. A good dating service can have various screening policies that can minimize the risks. For example, Loversplanet.com verifies every female profile with a phone interview. However, no measures can guarantee you do not come across a scam-artist.
- A dating service gives an important advantage to the end user protecting their own privacy and keeping their personal and contact information confidential. At Loversplanet.com we do not disclose your contact information. You can do that yourself when you are comfortable with any specific person you meet. Don’t give someone your full name, home address or contact information unless you are comfortable with your date or have already met the lady in person.
- “Well, we don’t specifically ask ‘Do you execute animals?’ on eHarmony”…. You cannot use an online dating service to check someone’s background. “Don’t rely on the government”. Loversplanet.com does not carry out background checks. No dating service can carry out extensive background checks of every member in the same way as night clubs and bars don’t check visitors’ background. Use common sense. “If someone asks you for money, that is obviously a really bad sign.”
- Meeting a person online is not any different from meeting someone in the street or through a local classifieds ad. Dating online you have a privilege of getting to know your match before meeting in person. When you develop a relationship you will have to meet in person, preferably in a public place. But Russia is thousands of miles away! That’s right, dating Russian women is a challenge. It’s a different country, it’s far away and it’s a different culture. But that’s what you are looking for, right? You are looking for a different relationship that will not be anything like you have had before. Forget about the myth of “ordering a wife by mail”. You can’t have a Russian woman delivered to your home. You would have to visit. Not now, at some point in the future, when you are confident the person is that “special someone”. At that point it will be worth it and will make sense.
- Meeting in person in your home country is more of a challenge. Firstly, it is very difficult for a single Russian woman to obtain a travel visa to any of the First World countries. And if she’s beautiful it makes things even worse. Secondly, there are all sorts of Russian Brides scams out there, including visa scams, marriage scams and travel scams. All revolve around fake brides communicating with foreign men to later ask them for money to get a visa or make travel arrangements. Do not be one of these men - do not take part in these scams. The only effective way to avoid Russian Dating scams is not to send money to anyone you meet online. Travel to Russia to meet your wife - it’s an important step in your life. Make all travel arrangements yourself through a local travel agent in the same way you make travel arrangements to other countries. Here are a few more incentives for you: The Top 10 Reasons to Visit Russia.
And last, but not least. Do remember a simple rule: if something sounds to good to be true it almost always is. Building a relationship that will hopefully grow into a successful long-lasting marriage is never easy no matter who you date: a Russian, a British or an American. It takes time, determination and effort. The more effort you put into it, the more rewarding the result. And Loversplanet.com has been known to deliver results. Your success, however, depends on you. Good luck!
Learn more about Russian Dating Scams, Background Checks and Russian Brides Scams.
January 2nd, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I like the idea of a phone interview to verify female members. We offer verification a little differently but I agree it’s an essential option.