Anybody heard of Oskana from Tver?

Originally Posted by davidp

This person contacted me through an internet personals site. She lives in Tver, northwest of Moscow. I Googled and Yahooed her email address, and came up empty. It's probably a scam, but just want to make sure. I don't want to write her off, but i don't want to get my hopes up, either. I have some picture of her. Anybody have any contact with her/them?

Originally Posted by davidp

I feel the way I do because the last person who contacted me in this way (letters are sort of generic, she (Oksana) calls me her "favourite friend" after only a few letters (4, I think)) was indeed a scammer, and it seems like it's beginning the same way (I guess I'm "snakebit"). I didn't want to post her to an anti-scam site, in case she was for real; that's why I came here first, to see if anyone else had been contacted by her. Both Oksana and the other girl contacted me on Yahoo, and did not post pictures until I e-mailed them (she's 27; I'm 42). I have checked a couple of blacklists (not sure which one is Jim's site), and didn't see her, but I know that there are "umpteen dozen" girls named Oksana, just like there are others. I guess I wanted to be prepared for the worst, and hope for the best. This is the only place I have posted pics. It would be great if she is for real. I'm not trying to get her in trouble needlessly, or get her mad at me, I'm just being cautious.

Thanks for the advice.

PS: I've removed her pics so as not to cause any problems.

Originally Posted by davidp

I feel the way I do because the last person who contacted me in this way (letters are sort of generic, she (Oksana) calls me her "favourite friend" after only a few letters (4, I think)) was indeed a scammer, and it seems like it's beginning the same way (I guess I'm "snakebit"). I didn't want to post her to an anti-scam site, in case she was for real; that's why I came here first, to see if anyone else had been contacted by her. Both Oksana and the other girl contacted me on Yahoo, and did not post pictures until I e-mailed them (she's 27; I'm 42). I have checked a couple of blacklists (not sure which one is Jim's site), and didn't see her, but I know that there are "umpteen dozen" girls named Oksana, just like there are others. I guess I wanted to be prepared for the worst, and hope for the best. This is the only place I have posted pics. It would be great if she is for real. I'm not trying to get her in trouble needlessly, or get her mad at me, I'm just being cautious.

Thanks for the advice.

Originally Posted by Chrismc

OK I understand David.....have you googled extracts from her letters yet? to see if they are canned replies etc. If they show up on google then they will more than likely give you your answer or at least lead you to where you can find out more.

Also after a few letters always ask for a telephone number and call her, if she is for real; she will gladly give you a contact number, if she is a scammer they would usually come up with all sorts of excuses why they cannot give you one.



Until proven guilty I don't think it is wise to post her pictures, if she turns out to be genuine then you can decide whether to post them or not in relation to the topic. Just my thoughts anyway!

Originally Posted by davidp

Hey, it's great advice, and I appreciate it. I can see where you're coming from, and I agree. I just a little cautious because of the last time.

Originally Posted by Chrismc

Yes it is always wise to be cautious David.....but don't assume they are all out to scam you. Remember, get a phone number that usually sorts out the genuine ones from the scammers, I have yet to hear of any women extracting money from your bank account via a phone call!!

Originally Posted by I/O

If you had to call Russia from here you might think differently. At $1 + per minute you can empty a bank account quite quickly.

Don't post anyones photos on an internet site without their permission. (Unless of course they are a proven fake) It is simply "Poor Form" at best.

Originally Posted by Texas Proud

Hmmm... no cheap phone cards????

I pay 2 cents a minute to talk to St. Pete... I think it was 15 cents to Kiev.. maybe 18...

Originally Posted by I/O

Yes plenty..!! But I don't have the patience to stand the poor quality of some of the servers. Thus I keep calls to a minimum. SMS's are a very nother story.

Originally Posted by Raka

I can tell you now that if you are applying for Immigration for your girl to come to Australia you better loose the phone cards real quick. Australian immigration will not even look at them as prove of contact. They require actual phone accounts with the number that you are calling on them. besides all the phone card companies use VOIP and from Australia the reception on the line is crap. So you guys in the UK and the States might want to check with your Government Department if you are required to show prove that you maintain contact with your loved one.

Originally Posted by Dave_N_Elvira

I/O
Have you ever heard of Skype? You can use the SkypeOut function and call Russia for around 5c a minute. You can also use Freecall and for 10 euros for 3 months you can ring Russia for 0c a minute. Works out roughly $5 a month which is around 4 minutes of your current talk time if you are dialing direct. Get crystal clear connections roughly 80% of the time and the time we don’t we simply hang up and ring back. Move into the 21st century mate. Expensive international calls should be a thing of the past for anyone with a computer and internet connection.

Raka,
Some phone cards you can print out a list of all the calls you have made but personally I wouldn’t touch phone cards. The line quality is pitiful at best on most of them. You can also print out call logs on Skype as well. This is what I used in the fiancee visa application to show all of the phone conversations I had with Elvira.

I have to say, using a landline and paying the exobortant rates the phone companies charge in this day and age when so many quality options exist at a very small fraction of what they charge is sheer lunacy.

Ps: You can SMS with Freecall at 5c a pop as well

Originally Posted by I/O

Yes plenty..!! But I don't have the patience to stand the poor quality of some of the servers. Thus I keep calls to a minimum. SMS's are a very nother story.

Originally Posted by Dave_N_Elvira

I/O
Have you ever heard of Skype? You can use the SkypeOut function and call Russia for around 5c a minute. You can also use Freecall and for 10 euros for 3 months you can ring Russia for 0c a minute. Works out roughly $5 a month which is around 4 minutes of your current talk time if you are dialing direct. Get crystal clear connections roughly 80% of the time and the time we don’t we simply hang up and ring back. Move into the 21st century mate. Expensive international calls should be a thing of the past for anyone with a computer and internet connection.

Raka,
Some phone cards you can print out a list of all the calls you have made but personally I wouldn’t touch phone cards. The line quality is pitiful at best on most of them. You can also print out call logs on Skype as well. This is what I used in the fiancee visa application to show all of the phone conversations I had with Elvira.

I have to say, using a landline and paying the exobortant rates the phone companies charge in this day and age when so many quality options exist at a very small fraction of what they charge is sheer lunacy.

Ps: You can SMS with Freecall at 5c a pop as well

Originally Posted by I/O

Duhhhhhhhh...!!! There is also the consideration of the internet connection at the other end. (Plus a few other things)

Originally Posted by markgm

Be warned guys at tribunal i was told that the phone cards even the ones with printouts are no good as evidence.
If your using an internet provider to make calls (VOIP) you need a monthly bill sent to you from them.
It has to have your account number and name on the bill and the time, date and number that you have called.

Exact words in rejection letter from Aus Embassy !!Phone cards and there printouts & VOIP services without a billable account are not proof of contact so i can not give weight to contact between the couple when using these services!!

Originally Posted by Dave_N_Elvira

Had no problem with the embassy in regards to using a SkypeOut printout. Can understand the phonecard one because you don’t need any dedicated account and essentially it could be a phonecard just given to you. With SkypeOut you need a dedicated account however and it works kind of like a prepaid mobile phone account where you top it up with credit. Does contain billing information like name, address etc which is essentially used when you top up the account so I would say it passed the test based on that criteria. You can also tie back any account top ups to credit card bills to further prove the validity of the account.

Originally Posted by markgm

I can only go on what they wrote in rejection letter and Tribunal who definately said no.
Trouble with Moscow is they seem to allow some and not others but if anyone ever goes to Tribunal you need proper telephone accounts.

Originally Posted by Raka

Well if you care to do some homework Freecall maybe great if you are calling Russia as it is free. Those of us with loved ones in the Ukraine it's a different story.

From my piont of view it's not even worth the effort especially if DIMA view these accounts as not concrete evidence.I'm not about to chance a visit to Tribunal just because of not being able to privide enough evidence of maintaining contact. Try explaining to you girl that your got Immigration refused because you were just tryiong to save a few dollars! Good luck you'll need it !

Originally Posted by Raka

Well if you care to do some homework Freecall maybe great if you are calling Russia as it is free. Those of us with loved ones in the Ukraine it's a different story.

Originally Posted by Raka

From my piont of view it's not even worth the effort especially if DIMA view these accounts as not concrete evidence.I'm not about to chance a visit to Tribunal just because of not being able to privide enough evidence of maintaining contact. Try explaining to you girl that your got Immigration refused because you were just tryiong to save a few dollars! Good luck you'll need it !

Originally Posted by Dave_N_Elvira

Hopefully it will grow to the rest of the FSU but I think the rate on freecall is better than skype anyway. No problems with quality either as the wife is talking on it at the moment with a crystal clear connection.

Considering I used SkypeOut statements as evidence and I know of others who have successfully I think you'll find Skype wont be a problem. What they relayed to Mark was probably just an attempt to be difficult b@$t@rds as they had throughout Mark's process. If it went to a court of law all the skype records of phone calls, payments, billing addresses etc can easily be shown on the internet and any lawyer worth his weight in salt will be able to pass the calls off as evidence.

Originally Posted by Dave_N_Elvira

Hopefully it will grow to the rest of the FSU but I think the rate on freecall is better than skype anyway. No problems with quality either as the wife is talking on it at the moment with a crystal clear connection.



Considering I used SkypeOut statements as evidence and I know of others who have successfully I think you'll find Skype wont be a problem. What they relayed to Mark was probably just an attempt to be difficult b@$t@rds as they had throughout Mark's process. If it went to a court of law all the skype records of phone calls, payments, billing addresses etc can easily be shown on the internet and any lawyer worth his weight in salt will be able to pass the calls off as evidence.

Originally Posted by markgm

The problem with that Dave is at Tribunal even though it is aTribunal court you are not allowed to be represented by anyone if you lose tribunal then you can go to high court (But need barrister) and they would most probably be able to prove the internet calls are genuine but then you face anywhere from a further 12-24 month wait before your case is heard depending on workload and i would hate to think how much Barrister and high court would cost.

Originally Posted by I/O

Sheeeesh Dave..!! What you are saying is pure speculation with zero to back it up. Mark has just been in the tribunal and the clerk and his lawyer advised him otherwise. Mate you have been and done it and gotten through ok, but Mark had a very tough run through. Don't be so pig headed. There is a heap of new guys reading this.

Originally Posted by Dave_N_Elvira

I/O
I know people who used SkypeOut records successfully before and AFTER the date Mark applied for his visa. That isnt speculation. That is FACT. If you want to go out and spend $1.50 a minute on phone calls that may be your prerogative but dont go saying its the only and proper way to do it because it isnt. Besides, as AKMike pointed out emails count just as well as phone records when proving correspondence.

Originally Posted by markgm

Moscow will also not look at any digital evidence such as videos or digital photos.

Originally Posted by Dave_N_Elvira

Actually they accepted a video Elvira bought in at interview time of the both of us appearing in a documentary for a St Petersburg TV station about foreign relationships. Just another case of inconsistency from them I guess.