How To Avoid Russian “Mail Order Bride” Scams
One of the biggest concerns men have about Russian dating is the possibility of a scam. There is no doubt that there are certain forces in Russia that try to prey on men who are interested in Russian women. We at LoversPlanet.com know this and we have plentiful advice on how to avoid a Russian mail order bride scam. Let us address one of the primary ways in which scammers try to rip people off: requesting money for travel visas and tickets through bogus travel agencies.
Travel Visas and Tickets
Often, the scammer will report that they need money in order to obtain a visa from someone such as a “friend at the embassy.” More often than not, this is bogus and should be avoided. You should only attempt to obtain visas legitimately (the cost is usually $50-$100), and most decent and reputable travel agents will include the cost of the visa in your travel expenses. Please visit the US Department of State website for more information.
Bogus Travel Agencies
This is one of the most common ways of scamming money out of men looking for Russian women. Often, these travel agencies don’t even exist. Here are some tips on making sure the travel agency you’re dealing with is legitimate:
- The travel agency doesn’t accept credit cards. This is a big red flag, as it’s very unlikely any decent travel agency doesn’t take credit cards at this point in time. Since it’s more difficult to stay under the radar with credit card scams, scammers often try to get you to pay in different ways, such as through Western Union or bank wires. These are difficult to track, so avoid them.
- Don’t deal with banks in Latvia as they have an internationally poor reputation. Besides, you’re probably not traveling to Latvia anyway.
- It’s best to make sure the travel agency has a website. If they don’t, it’s a big sign of potential fraud. Also, make sure their email address matches up to the name of the agency. However, even if they do have a website, it could potentially be a scam. Make sure the agency is verifiably licensed. Agencies in Russia and other countries must be licensed, so you should be able to find out.
- If the Russian bride you’re speaking with pressures you about being too cautious or tries to convince you that the agency she’s telling you about is the most reputable one, be wary. A sincere woman is unlikely to get worked up over this and will appreciate and respect your precaution.
If you want any more advice on avoiding a Russian mail order bride scam, please check out our anti-scam guide. Also, check out this website which we believe has an excellent and extensive anti-scam guide. If you feel uncomfortable about anything you’re encountering, make sure to contact customer care and let us know.
LoversPlanet is here to help, and we understand your concerns. But Russian and Ukraine dating on LoversPlanet.com has yielded so many success stories that we know it’s worth your while to have a look. Check out our Russian women search engine and sign up for a free profile today.
Tags: anti-scam, latvia, russian mail order bride scams, Russian Women, travel agencies, travel visas
