The Russian Bride Scam – 1
How the Scam Operates
The Russian bride scam is being enacted over the Internet for quite a while now. Unsuspecting Americans and foreigners are being allured by the scammers, both male and female, with the sole intent of extracting money from them. They get in touch with Americans/foreigners through the chatroom, pretend to fall head-over-heels in love with them, promising marriage or a meeting in the US. When the scammers find the other party in their firm grip, they start requesting money to buy tickets, tide over hospital expenses, or to cover for any such emergent need.
Attractive females from Russia, Belarus, and other former USSR countries send their photographs over the Internet to lure single and lonely men. Even males pretending to be females send photographs of some attractive female to have the other party interested.
Be on guard when you receive requests for money. The reason could be for any or more of the following:
· Passport, tickets, and visa
· Apartment rent, utility bills
· Car accident, which she borrowed and wrecked
· Emergency hospital expenses – for her or any of her close relatives
· Luxury items like cell pones to keep in touch with you
· Expenditure involved in preparing for the marriage
· Presents for herself and family
You might even receive a request to disclose your credit card number or other such information. Whatever the reason, any request for substantial money should put you on guard. You could be taken for a ride. Many unsuspecting people have ended up paying money, and upon refusal to pay further they had abruptly lost contact with their ‘ladylove’.
We may continue with more information on the Russian brides scam in our forthcoming postings.