Even though online dating is a wonderful way to meet men and women, boasts tens of thousands of marriages, has millions of singles connecting around the world daily, and has become the norm when it comes to 21st century dating, singles online still wonder if they need to take any precautions with it comes to meeting men and women on the Net.
This post highlights the potential scams surrounding international dating and marriage services/agencies. In particular it focuses on Russian dating and marriage scams; especially because over the last few years there have been a significant number of reported cases of fraud – imagine the number of unreported cases? Indeed, I suspect most men who have been ‘ripped-off’ are too embarrassed to report it. So the real number of Russian-marriage scam-cases may be much higher!
Below is an extensive list of websites that give details of particular cases, sites and the mechanics of the dating scams. Remember for-warned, for-armed. Don’t be the next victim!
Russian-scam.org: This is a non-profit site dedicated to highlighting international dating and Russian-brides fraud. It includes a forum, message board, anti-scam manual, agency check-list, and a useful reporting program to add potential scam-sites to an ever-growing list.
Womenrussia.com/ blacklist.htm: This site contains an extensive list of articles and links about Russian dating and other agency scams. For example:
- Russian Bride Cyber Guide's Black List
- Anti-scam info directly from Russian women
- Sample letters that give-away a scammer
- Simple rules to follow to reduce the likelihood of a dating scam
- … and much more!
Russianscamcheck.org/: This company provides a three-tiered service where they will do background checks on Russian women for a fee. The checks can be basic, advanced, or thorough – the most expensive is the thorough background check.
The site includes numerous testimonials from men who, apparently, have used their service. The website also includes useful tips and a detailed database of scams.
Russian women blacklist.com/: This site is about naming and shaming. It includes over 250 pages of names, addresses and numbers used for date scamming. The list is huge!
The website includes details of a background check for around $50 – which, after researching this article, seems essential.
The site also details of dating sites that seem unwilling to cooperate in investigating potential scammers on their own site.
The website also includes extensive tips for identifying and avoiding dating/marriages scams. This site is definitely worth reading!
Antiscam.org/: Apparently dating scammers often use pictures of international models, pop stars, actresses and beauty contest winners to attract the victims. This site includes an extensive portfolio of photos, and if you’re corresponding with a Russian female that’s on the list – you will be scammed!
Also, the site mentions a common dating myth that Russian women prefer older men. Interesting! It states on the site that this is totally unfounded, the tastes and desires of Russian girls, like other girls, varies tremendously, so beware and don’t buy in to the bull propagated by some ‘dodgy’ dating agencies.
American Sentenced to Five Years for Russian Marriage Scheme
Over the last few years there have been many news headlines about Russian bride scams. The headlines usually include details of some poor guy or guys being ripped-off by a dating website full of fake photos of Russian brides.
Indeed, it seems some of these scammers aren’t even Russian! Because of this growing problem, some individuals have begun compiling a ‘Blacklisted Russian Brides’ database. The database contains an extensive list of blacklisted Russian female photos. Sometimes the scammers even have the cheek to use pictures of models, beauty contest winners, local celebrities and pop-stars!
From Russia Without LoveThis article includes details of several men being ripped-off by a Russian syndicate of fake websites.
This post contends that fake dating sites, including Russian Bride sites, have an effect on the whole Internet dating industry.
This article shows a typical fake dating email from Russia. Apparently, it’s suspected English language students may be behind the scam, and they may be using photos of female students from the same college/university.
My other post, Russian Dating Scams, provides a list of websites that include a very extensive list of blacklisted Russian brides.
