Seeking advice - am travelling to Russia in July - Russian Ukrainian Belarus Travel Music Woman Dating News

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Seeking advice - am travelling to Russia in July
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Posted by: water

Hi fellows

A quick qn. Met a great girl on Elena's Models. Have been talking to her for almost 6 weeks now over the phone. I even snail mailed her a letter. Never email. She lives in Ozersk, near Yekaterinberg. We dscussed abt meeting in July. We are planning to in St Pertersburg, since both of us have never been there. But if that is the case, I would need to find a way to get her a ticket to fly from Yekaterinberg to St Peterberg. Qn:

1) Is there any agency in Yekaterinberg for such service? I have a few in mind but would like to know if you have any other suggestion (she expresses some concern of marriage agency as she thinks they always charge too much. She suggested I buy the ticket online and have it mailed to her).

2) How can I get an invitation letter in this case?

3) How abt accomodation arrangement in St Peterberg, any rec.?

I know some of these qn may have been answered but there are so many posts in this site that looking for them can be tough

Thanks for answering or directing me to the relevant post. Cheers

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Hi Water,

Get ready for "doom and gloom" advise on this. You don't give a lot of detail about knowing this girl, I would take the "scam" test located at this website before proceeding any further. I used Elena's Model's to find my girl friend but I know some people have found "scammers" on this website.

I would secure her a ticket through a travel agent or any of the on-line ticket sales websites. Make the ticket only refundable to you and know one else. If she is a scammer, she will try to cash your ticket in and not show but you won't be out any cash, except for the little amount you will pay for a refundable ticket. Be sure the ticket is only refundable by you and no one else.

Good Luck,
GTR

Posted by: Chrismc

Hi Water.......just a couple of questions, why do you never email her? and who suggested meeting in SpB? was it her? if it was me I would visit her in her home town first, see how she lives, and what she is like at home etc, then plan a trip elsewhere if things work out for the both of you!

There is not a lot else to go on with what you have told us though? I have used Elena's for a long time and have never come across a scammer yet!! but that does not mean there are none there, but to be sure I would do as I suggest and say you have decided to meet her in her home town, if she agrees then great, but if she does not want this and comes up with odd excuses why, there may be a good reason and also a good chance she could not be all that she lets on to be!!!

Apart from the reasons I give above, there is not a lot else I could say really. but GTR gives some good advice on tickets etc.

Good luck anyway.
Chris

Posted by: GoingToRussia

I would have to agree with Chrismc. You should visit her in her town. You can get an invitation from a hotel or travel agency in her hometown. They can then fax or e-mail it to you. If she says she will get an invitation for you, tell her you already have one on the way. If she's a scammer, she will ask for money to get an invitation. The hotel or travel agency may charge a fee for doing this but a scammer will take your money.

If she is a scammer and you go to SPB, she might want you buy everything she sees. Once you run out of money then she's history.

I'm not trying to rain on your parade, I just what you to be aware of your situation. When I first joined this forum and spoke of meeting a FSU woman, I received many doom and gloom e-mails. It was upsetting at first but it made me aware of possible senarios.

We're all just trying to help,
GTR

Posted by: GoeastLJ

Is there a different perspective to the first meeting, i.e. not meeting in the lady's own town? I am meeting my lady friend in Yalta, although she is from Kherson. The reasoning here is that this is a first meeting and may not be the time to meet the family. When we suggested meeting, she aked me where I wanted to go and I made all the travel and hotel bookings and she is coming with her son.

I am only going to stay a week in June and if we click, we will meet again in August in her home town. We have been writing to each other since March - we have spoken on the phone, SMS and I have even sent her some handwritten letters. Because she is meeting me at the airport in Odessa, I asked her how much money she would need for travelling and she said $50 which I have sent. I asked her if she needed more money just in case but she refused.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Go East,

The first meeting is important in many ways but it was the lack of detail about his girl that caught my eye. He only spoke by phone and she wanted to go to "The Big City". Your situation is different but it is still too early to tell if it is a scam, IMO so far so good. You have her snail mail address, phone number, and probably her e-mail address. Kherson is probably a bigger city than Yalta so there is no advantage for her going there. I've had scammers refuse money before but $50 for traveling expenses is reasonable. If I had to guess, I would say your okay. The problem with Water is that his e-mail lacks detail. She may be on the up and up but I just get a bad vibe. I didn't provide all the details in my first posting and everyone jumped on this as a definite scam. After providing more information, just about everyone thought the girl was for real. She turned out to be quite a wonderful woman.

As I said, we are just looking out for newbees and are trying to educate them. We don't mean any harm or crush anyone's dreams. We are concerned. I've been corresponding with FSU woman and scammers for only 6 months so I consider myself still "wet behind the ears", a step up from a newbee. There are more experienced people around that can offer good advice. I must admit, I have learned much from this website and visit as often as possible. It is a great place to learn about Russia and it's people.

Good Luck to you,
GTR

Posted by: water

Hi all,

Thanks for the great discussions. OK more details. Don't worry abt 'doom or gloom' advice. I welcome frank discussions. This is not the first time I date anyone from Eastern Europe BTW. The last one lasted 1 year. But still, I appreciate any suggestions/advice.

I wrote to her on Elena's Models. She replied. In her first letter, she gave me her address and telephone number and suggested that speaking on phone is better. I called and we somehow started communicating from there and then. She also gave me her email address once. But she said she prefers talking on phone. I tried emailing once; no replies from her. ANyway, this morning, she gave me another email address and claims this should work. Haven't tried yet. She also said every time I send her an email through EM, her agent will pick it up and they will ask for money before she can read it. This is why she prefers talking on phone.

So far, after 6 calls (7 weeks now. I call her once every week; she is only at home during weekend, being in school in another town during the week), we pretty much talk as closed friends. After the 3rd call, she said she likes talking to me and I said the same too. From the 5th call onwards, every now and then in the conversation, she would say she think of me. This morning, she said she would like to meet soon and that it may be life-changing for her. No mention of money.

I was the one who suggested meeting in St P. 'cos I will be in Helsinki during that time. She said OK. But she did say if that is the case, she would need me to send her money to buy ticket. I said 'let me buy you a ticket then and not send money'. She readily agreed. She suggested I buy a ticket online and she can give me her info. I said I need time to find out abt the purchase. She agreed too.

My feeling abt everything is OK so far. She did mention/complain abt her not having a computer to work with at home as she was studying for an exam once; but she never in clear asked for any money.

That's about it. All the rest are really abt her family, hobbies, my family, etc. So any views?

Water

Posted by: GoeastLJ

Thank you very much, GTR. This is a great forum and a lot of my questions and doubts have been answered through here. I hope to share my experiences and provide some useful information when I come back. I did mention in one of the threads that I was drawn to an FSU woman by a scammer. There must be different types of scammers, but somehow I believe the professional scammers don't waste time going for the jugular and I would guess they would have more than one potential victims at a go. Your questions wouldn't be answered and a lot of us who are clever enough to use a computer would spot a lot of red flags within a few days. The other scammers that are difficult to detect may be those that just wanted e-mail friends with no intent of going into a relationship, or those that just want a meal ticket. Shaun's encounter was a bit sad. I personally wouldn't go for a wine swirling, vodka guzzling 'lady' - that would be a red flag, but you never know until you meet!!!

Posted by: Texas Proud

Water,

My concern is you two do not know enough about each other yet... only 5 or 6 phone calls and maybe 2 emails!!

The lady I am about to visit I have been talking to for about 5 or 6 months, have over 200 emails.. we have talked about everything and written about many things that come up...

So, I would say that you two are too 'young' yet... but hey, others in this forum will agree with you and say 'visit sooner'...

But, at least ask her if she would mind you coming to visit her in her town.. One lady I wrote to on EMs wanted to meet somewhere else... she just wanted a vacation... but she was honest about it so I do not consider it a scam..

So ask if she would prefer to meet in her town and get a feel from her response... maybe all she wants is a vacation...

But, like others, not enought information to say one way or the other..

Posted by: waiting123

Water,

St. Peter is where I met my wife and where I always go to stay and see her. I go through a young lady named Natasha at a travel agency in San Francisco, CA. Natasha takes care of getting my invitation and visa for about 130$, it takes her about 5 days to get all taken care of, (BTW, she works in the Russian Cosulate) if you would like her number I I can give it to you.

As far as accomidations, I have always stayed at a private apartment that is rented to me for about 75-85 Euro's per night, and they are beautiful apartments. The lady I deal with in St. Peter is Eugenia and/or Katya. They will transport you from Pulkovo Airport for 30$ and they will rehister your visa at a local hotel for your stay, also 30$. Please let me know if you need these #'s or email address for accomidations

I will be more than happy to help you here. St Peter is a beautiful city, I have been several times and have always found it fascinating.... make sure you take in a play or ballet at the Marinsky Theater. Let me know if I can be of further help to you.

Posted by: waiting123

Follow-Up... I do agree with all written above. Why not her home town, Why St. Peter, Why no email... ???? all concerning questions

I spoke to my wife everyday on the phone, and ICQ a lot... and in between this we emailed... I would push the issue of seeing her in her town.....Then you can see her, her family, and if she really exists!!!

But if not.... Enjoy St. Peter, it is the most beatufil place in Eastern Europe I have been to... I love it none the less.... But it is expensive compared to the rest of Russia..Moscow is also expensive, but reminds me of walking back in time to an old and cultural Los Angeles or New York....

Let us know what your plans are...!!!!

Posted by: water

Hi eveyone

Thank you for all the helpful inputs. Frankly, I am all too used to having scammers emailing me and expressing their undying love within frst few emails. But once I asked for their numbers and address, they will give tons of reasons b4 disappearing. This girl is the opposite. She said it is better for us to understand each other via phone conversation and even snail mail. She said she doesn't like to use email to correspond and that using Elena's Models emailing system will cost her money to retrieve too. Anyway, after suggesting that we should also try emailing, I sent her a short email this morning and I will see whether she replies. Our next phone conversation will be on Friday.

Personally, I don't mind flying to Ekaterinberg and meet her there (anyway, I was the one who suggested meeting in St Peterberg. She said anywhere is OK for her), before visiting her and her family. Regarding the purchase of tickets, she even suggested I either buy online or even approach an agency other than Elena's Models to buy it so that she ca get it from them. Does anyone know about any good and reliable contacts in Ekaterinberg? I read that a few of you have just returned from there; were u there on your own or with help from someone (with accommodation, meeting at airport etc.)

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Water,

It sounds like you have your mind set on going so I wish you good luck. If things don't work out, just remember you are in a beautiful city so enjoy it. I'll look forward to your SPB report.

GTR

Posted by: water

Hey GTR, I guess my mind is pretty much set, but not without caution, of course. Finding out more about her will help, definitely. That is why I am asking around for any contacts/help in the Ekaterinberg area, in case I need any. I would say, with her, so far no red flag. She is quite frank with what she wants; e.g, she once told me that before she gets any K1 visa, she wants to finish her education and get the diploma (she is in her 1st year post grad). Actually, I am not even a US citizen and so K1 visa doesn't apply to my case. Anyway, we are keeping the communication open and trying to get to know each other as much as possible :-)

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Hi Water,

Glad to hear you're cautious. That's the best way to be. There is nothing wrong about going, just don't have high expectations and enjoy yourself no matter what happens.

GTR

Posted by: Wanderer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrismc

Hi Water.......just a couple of questions, why do you never email her? and who suggested meeting in SpB? was it her? if it was me I would visit her in her home town first, see how she lives, and what she is like at home etc, then plan a trip elsewhere if things work out for the both of you!

Ozersk is a closed city so he can't go to her home town. Closed City home towns always a bit of a yellow flag but it doesn't seem like she's even mentioned it. Although we aren't privy to all the info tho!

Wanderer

Posted by: Chrismc

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wanderer

Fair comment Wanderer!! he probably needs to find out more about her then before spending a lot of time and money arranging trips.

Posted by: shaun1000

Hi "GOEAST"

The other scammers that are difficult to detect may be those that just wanted e-mail friends with no intent of going into a relationship, or those that just want a meal ticket. Shaun's encounter was a bit sad. I personally wouldn't go for a wine swirling, vodka guzzling 'lady' - that would be a red flag, but you never know until you meet!!!

She was not like you described when we first meet, she just drawed me in, still I am learning, and I hope if it helps someone else then it was worth it. I have had my revenge as she has been removed from two websites recently. Hopefully this year she is paying for her own holiday.

Posted by: so cal rick

Water; if I could make suggestion, Since this is first visit.....though you have not known her for long.....
I would travel to Ekaterinburg. British airways flies there direct from London.

Ekaterinburg travel agency run by Alexander Korjev (google) can arrange apartment in city center for $60-$80 per night, they can arrange transportation to and from airport.

don't get in too deep too fast....slow down .....

Ekaterinburg is perfect place, easy for her to travel to, easy to reach via london, You can spend one , or two weeks there and find out about this girl.

You are trying to develop true love, .....let it happen.....

After you both learn more about each other .....you can visit St Pete.

But first time out the gate... I would try the local situation.....plus she would be more comfortable in this setting.

Just my thoughts

So Cal Rick