A Newbie's Observations

[JimS]

Hi guys,
I'm new to this board and would like some advice/ pass on some of my observations.

For several weeks now I've been in contact with several girls from the Ukraine who I contacted though a online dating agency off the internet.A high proportion of the girls I contacted replied, something around 80% or so. We've exchanged photo's and a few letters but several things struck me.

- the photo's most of these girls have sent appear to have been taken by a professional photographer and the girls look quite attractive. Half of me says they do this to increase there chance of finding a guy, the other half says maybe they are fake photos?

- I recieve long emails, they talk alot about love etc and what they like in a man, however they is little in the way of detail such as their job specifics or there families. Somehow I feel that these letters are 'generic' letters which they send to everybody, ie they are stock letters they buy off the supermarket shelf. Is this just me or is it because they have to use a translation service? To be honest though, I've also sent girls the same letters to save writing one twice.

I hear of scams etc although none of the girls has asked for money I worry that this may be their end game. Another girl from the FSU I was tlaking to on ICQ disappeared really quickly once I told her i was planning to visit there in November.

So guys, should I worry or just play it by ear?

thanks

jimbo

[Charles]

... in response to A Newbie's Observations, posted by JimS on Sep 30, 2001

Although I met my wife through kiss.com, a large percentage of the women are through agencies who will hit you up for money really quick.  I would stay away from those and concentrate on women that you can establish direct communication.  Regarding professional photos, I wouldn't be too concerned, when you meet these women in person you will find they usually look a lot better than the glossy photos.

[stud muffin]

... in response to A Newbie's Observations, posted by JimS on Sep 30, 2001

Hi Newbie:

I have spent time on several internet sites for mail order brides and they really do not work.  Sometimes you could have a 70 year old write to you with a 20-25 year old's photo.  The point I am trying to make is that you cannot trust someone over the internet.  There has been times when I have trusted someone and gotten scammed.  Finally, I realized that I wasted so much time on the internet searching and searching and still did not find someone.  Empty promises, scammers, gold diggers, you name it, I have heard it all.  Read other postings on this site and you will understand.  From my experience, internet way of finding someone is a waste of time.  Words of Wisdom:  Forget the internet and visit these countries.  Go through marriage agencies or post a classified detailing your requirements.  There are no games involved when you meet a girl over a cup of coffee or dinner, no girl can scam you or play games.  Nothing like a face to face confrontation.  My 2 cents.  If you still do not heed to my words of wisdom, you will discover on your own that I was right.

[rojak]

... in response to Words of wisdom: A Newbie's Observations, posted by stud muffin on Oct 1, 2001

Studly, your cynical attempts at being cute are not working! Try another board for amusement.

[Harry88]

... in response to Words of wisdom: A Newbie's Observations, posted by stud muffin on Oct 1, 2001

Hay Stud Muffin,
It sounds as if you know what you're talking about, as if you have a long experience, and I think you're quite right (see my yesterday's post).
But in your profile you claim to be searching since last month!? I wonder...
Harald

[stud muffin]

... in response to According to your profile you're a newbe..., posted by Harry88 on Oct 1, 2001

Harry:

I have been on this site since Sept.2001, however I have had experiences with these girls since I was a teenager.  So, I know what I am talking about, otherwise I would not be saying such things. We all need to help each other, brother.

[JimS]

... in response to Words of wisdom: A Newbie's Observations, posted by stud muffin on Oct 1, 2001

I've just received my first scam letter, after 2 generic emails I've been asked for money to help with correspondence. In addition, 3 girls I contacted through kiss.com all produced the same reply! I'm sending this to the scam sites tonight, however I can post the ID numbers here if you like. I'd agree with you, there are just too many scammers out there, you'll end up not trusting anybody and that just ruins things.

JS

quote from the scam letter---

I am very glad to have an opportunity to write you again. The agency
allowed me to write you my letter without payment. Dear *******, I am
so sorry, but it is difficult for me to pay for our correspondence.
You know, I don't like to ask, maybe because I am a modest but it would
be nice if you can help me to pay for correspondence's expenses. I would
like to know you much better and to continue our lettering. I will send  
you my home address, if you wish,  but Internet is the fastest way to
communicate. I will be waiting for your letter impatiently. Irina promised
to inform me about your message at once.
Kiss you

[stud muffin]

... in response to Re: Words of wisdom: True and confirmed!..., posted by JimS on Oct 1, 2001

Jim:  

I have received your exact letter from marriage agencies in Ukraine when I was corresponding with girls on www.absoluteagency.com.  Looks like they just do a copy and paste.  I am wondering now if the marriage agencies/interpreter gets a percentage of the scam profits.  Scum bags! Just be careful, Brother.

[JimS]

... in response to Re: Re: Words of wisdom: True and confir..., posted by stud muffin on Oct 1, 2001

Here's the letter from before the actual money question
quote-----

                How are you?  I hope you are very well. I am very interested in  
                knowing more about you. Let me tell you some things about myself:
                I am 26, single, I am from Ukraine, having never been married.
                When I marry, it  will be the first and only time. My personality  
                is very calm and  easy to be with.  I prefer to act with  people  
                in a peaceful and  intelligent manner. I like to look at  the  
                world with an open mind.  
                I try to imagine the world, through the eyes of others. I was brought
                up with Christian values and I have respect  others. I have many  
                interests that include nature, sport, reading , animals, and movies.  
                I also enjoy music very much!          
                I see my future husband and myself as a partnership between equals.  
                All important decisions would be discussed and decided by both of us.  
                And when it comes time to have children, the responsibility is also  
                something that we will both share.  I would like to have two or three  
                children. What about you? I think children are fascinating!  And  
                though I realize children are a lot of work, I think they would bring a  
                great sense of satisfaction.
                I am looking for a man who is not afraid to display an emotional  
                personality, especially in times of joy and sorrow.  (I think mostly  
                about the times we will smile and laugh and cuddle.  But I also wonder  
                about the times I may have to wipe away your tears and hold you very  
                tight.  I also think about the times I may need you to wipe away my  
                tears.  I think about a time when we may disagree, and I wonder how we  
                will resolve such things.  I hope these times would end with both of us  
                laughing.  I dream we will both keep our minds open, and we will respect  
                what the others thinks, and even if we did not agree, we would think of  
                the other’s thought as interesting, maybe)  
                So tell me, What do you think?  I will be waiting for your letter impatiently.
                Hope to hear from you very soon. I send you my picture, hope you will like it.  
                Kiss you
                Olga

[williethesheik]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Does this ring a bell as wel..., posted by JimS on Oct 1, 2001

I recieved the same letter from a young girl from Luhansk,her name is Natalie. We corresponded for a coiuple of months, then she quit writing. I guss I am lucky, that I only sent $40 for internet cafe. She never asked for it, but stated that She was not rich.
Bill

[stud muffin]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Does this ring a bell as wel..., posted by JimS on Oct 1, 2001

Yes, brother.  No doubt about it.  Socrat? Right!  Socrat is from Lugansk, Ukraine.  I was careful all the time, but when I blinked I got scammed by another girl from Lugansk.  I got her account deleted with www.absoluteagency.com and called western union to put her on a blacklist.  There is a site on blacklist.  One of the postings here have it.  I read an article, in Lugansk, girls make an average of $500-600 by scamming (especially the young gorgeous ones). .  When a girl asks for money, get rid of her.  Read the article on Lugansk on the "Brama tips on Ukraine" website.  It will make you shudder and shiver.  These people are ruthless.  You could be murdered if you step into Lugansk.  Read that article and you will know what I am saying. The name of the article on that site is "Lugansk: Hell or Paradise".  Be cautious brother.  If you need a woman bad for the night, go to an escort agency and get it over with or go to Las Vegas where the girls are tested for AIDS.  Do not settle for the wrong woman, bro.

[JimS]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Does this ring a bell as..., posted by stud muffin on Oct 1, 2001

Thanks for your advice. I've checked google and found www.brama.com but couldn't find the article Lugansk: Hell or Paradise. Do you have a copy or URL?

thanks

JimS

[stud muffin]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: thanks for the tip, ..., posted by JimS on Oct 1, 2001

Sorry, bud.  Looks like this article has been deleted. If I find it on some site, I will definitely provide the URL.  On the other hand, maybe you can request brama to email you this article.

[JimS]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: thanks for the t..., posted by stud muffin on Oct 2, 2001

What was the general message with this Brama article? Its sounds from what you've said that some guys flying out there get a nasty shock or come to a sticky end.

thanks

JimS

[Harry88]

... in response to Re: Words of wisdom: True and confirmed!..., posted by JimS on Oct 1, 2001

What you show here is not solid proof of scam, but yes it may well be a scam.
On the other hand it's normal to pay an agency for correspondence (and translation sometimes!).
Do I understand well that you are asked to pay the agency, not her? What agency, and are you sure it's not on the blacklist?
Harald