Russian Banks

[Peter Ryan]

The following tale should explain to you why Russians still keep cash under their mattresses. I was naive enough to think that they had turned over a new leaf since 1998 when they confiscated everybody's savings in Russia. I did some research and found the most reputable one. The Russian federation Bank. Government backed! A trustworthy and venerable institution. Turns out they are just as crooked as any of them. My short story is this. We sent over a few thousand dollars to my wife's sister so that her mother could live somewhere habitable. She bought a flat and left a thousand in the bank for repairs to the new flat, which was run down. Now the bank will not let her withdraw the remaining $1000 because they say my sister in law owes 13% gift tax plus a lot more. Has anyone out there had any experience in fighting City Hall in Russia?

[Robert D]

... in response to Russian Banks, posted by Peter Ryan on Mar 24, 2003

Don't know anything about that but I would like to ask what a flat cost in small towns and cities.  I was shocked to see their prices in St. Petersburg.  Can't see how anyone can afford them there.

Robert D.

[Alfred]

... in response to Re: Russian Banks, posted by Robert D on Mar 25, 2003

Perhaps there are two sets of prices: for Foreigners (higher) and Russians (lower).

[Lynn]

... in response to Russian Banks, posted by Peter Ryan on Mar 24, 2003

[This message has been edited by Lynn]

I'm afraid you will have little success in that fight unless you know someone with a lot of pull. I haven't done a in-depth study on this particular bank, but judging from the fact that Russia's monetary system is deeply involved with the IMF and the World Bank, their banking system is just like our Federal Reserve----rotten to the core and no more backed by their government than the Fed is here----the perception of trustworthiness and the apparent backing by the government fools most people into a false sense of security.
Not meaning to be too critical, but your first mistake was to make the money appear as a giant blip on the bank/government's radar screen. A better scenario would have been to do the visa debit card deal for the money and not make it so apparent that the money was a gift. For just half a chance, the tax people in the FSU will be all over anyone that appears to have alternate sources of income and are not with the mafia.

3 or 2cts. from Dixie

Lynn

[micha1]

... in response to Russian Banks, posted by Peter Ryan on Mar 24, 2003

On a TV show a few weeks ago, a young guy had saved a couple of grands to eventually buy a car.
When wanted to with draw the money, he couldn't.  Was only permitted to withdraw $13 dollars a week.
He wanted to put a bomb in the bank.  Saying that they  were thiefs, he was going to get even.