Russia's bogus 'email brides' break the hearts - and wallets - of Western men
Observer Worldview
Nick Paton Walsh Moscow Sunday May 5,2002 The Observer
He was a chauffeur aged 48 in Baltimore and she was a 28-year- old in Kiev. Anthony DiMario first fell for Oksana Stolyarenko two months ago.
They made contact through an internet agency and began exchanging emails. Although they never met, she sent him her pictures and frank, articulate emails.
Only a month later, DiMario stood in the arrivals lounge of Dulles airport, Maryland, his dreams in tatters, having wired $3,350 (£2, 280) of his savings to Oksana's 'agent' in Kiev.
DiMario is one of hundreds of men who have fallen victim to the scams of 'email brides' on the internet.
Experts say the vast majority of 'email brides' are scams designed to lure Western men into parting with cash. And they are the topic of a Hollywood film, released next month. In Birthday Girl, Nicole Kidman plays a Russian who travels to England to live with banker Ben Chaplin, after he orders her with a credit card on the Net. Chaplin soon discovers that the woman lied about not speaking English and is involved in a complex fraud.
DiMario first sensed trouble when Oksana suggested she visit him in Baltimore as a student. 'She said she needed $1,850 for visas, a flight and medical tests,' he said.
He was suspicious, but agreed when Oksana's agency, Kiev's Paradise of Angels Internet Club, put him in touch with previous clients and assured him that he would recoup most of the money when Oksana was granted state student benefits in America.
'There seemed like nothing to lose, so I wired the money,' said DiMario. He was delighted. 'I was divorced two years ago and it is so hard to meet single women at my age.'
But just as Oksana was due to leave Kiev, she called in a panic, saying the airline had turned her away. She had to have $1,500 in cash in 'security money' to clear US Customs. 'She said the rule was new and I had waited so long that I wired it.'
DiMario waited in vain for her arrival or emails but Oksana had vanished, as had her agent. 'I began investigating and came across a site about Russian bride scams. There I found pictures of "Oksana", using four aliases. The pictures she gave me were not of her, but of a popular Russian model, Anna Smirnova. Oksana was a real person, but nothing like who I thought she was.'
Paradise of Angels Internet Club could not be reached for comment. 'Ninety per cent of these "agencies" are scams,' said Chris Berry-Dee, 50, a British criminologist, based in Portsmouth. 'Normally, with one of these agencies, a letter comes back very quickly. Two or three letters later, the girl asks to come and visit. But these are often just standard emails that agencies churn out.
'The men are then asked to pay for gifts, translators and registration fees. They are invited on tours to the former Soviet Union to meet these women and the organisers then make excuses when the girl does not turn up at the hotel.
'On some of these sites, there are thousands of interested men but very few women available. Logically, they have to be in touch with several men at once.'
While the FBI receives many complaints about these services, others insist that 'email brides' are driven by more innocent desires and simply prefer the life and manners of Western men.
'They are more reliable,' said Svetlana, 24, from Tchimkent, Kazakhstan, who is using a dating service based in Leeds. 'I have met a few foreign men through the internet but it is hard to find a good man, no matter the country.'
John Weedon, 50, an accountant from Cambridge, met his wife, Irina, from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, over the internet and now runs the website A Russian Bride to help Irina's friends in Bishkek find Western men.
'It's amazing how many Russian women want to get out of the former Soviet Union. There are thousands of interested older men. Russian women don't seem to mind older men,' he said.
> Russia's bogus 'email brides' > break the hearts - and wallets - of Western men
> Observer Worldview
> Nick Paton Walsh Moscow > Sunday May 5,2002 > The Observer
> He was a chauffeur aged 48 in Baltimore and she was a 28-year- old in Kiev. > Anthony DiMario first fell for Oksana Stolyarenko two months ago.
> They made contact through an internet agency and began exchanging emails. > Although they never met, she sent him her pictures and frank, articulate emails.
> Only a month later, DiMario stood in the arrivals lounge of Dulles airport, > Maryland, his dreams in tatters, having wired $3,350 (£2, 280) of his savings to > Oksana's 'agent' in Kiev.
> DiMario is one of hundreds of men who have fallen victim to the scams of 'email > brides' on the internet.
> Experts say the vast majority of 'email brides' are scams designed to lure > Western men into parting with cash. And they are the topic of a Hollywood film, > released next month. In Birthday Girl, Nicole Kidman plays a Russian who travels > to England to live with banker Ben Chaplin, after he orders her with a credit > card on the Net. Chaplin soon discovers that the woman lied about not speaking > English and is involved in a complex fraud.
> DiMario first sensed trouble when Oksana suggested she visit him in Baltimore as > a student. 'She said she needed $1,850 for visas, a flight and medical tests,' > he said.
> He was suspicious, but agreed when Oksana's agency, Kiev's Paradise of Angels > Internet Club, put him in touch with previous clients and assured him that he > would recoup most of the money when Oksana was granted state student benefits in > America.
> 'There seemed like nothing to lose, so I wired the money,' said DiMario. He was > delighted. 'I was divorced two years ago and it is so hard to meet single women > at my age.'
> But just as Oksana was due to leave Kiev, she called in a panic, saying the > airline had turned her away. She had to have $1,500 in cash in 'security money' > to clear US Customs. 'She said the rule was new and I had waited so long that I > wired it.'
> DiMario waited in vain for her arrival or emails but Oksana had vanished, as had > her agent. 'I began investigating and came across a site about Russian bride > scams. There I found pictures of "Oksana", using four aliases. The pictures she > gave me were not of her, but of a popular Russian model, Anna Smirnova. Oksana > was a real person, but nothing like who I thought she was.'
> Paradise of Angels Internet Club could not be reached for comment. 'Ninety per > cent of these "agencies" are scams,' said Chris Berry-Dee, 50, a British > criminologist, based in Portsmouth. 'Normally, with one of these agencies, a > letter comes back very quickly. Two or three letters later, the girl asks to > come and visit. But these are often just standard emails that agencies churn > out.
> 'The men are then asked to pay for gifts, translators and registration fees. > They are invited on tours to the former Soviet Union to meet these women and the > organisers then make excuses when the girl does not turn up at the hotel.
> 'On some of these sites, there are thousands of interested men but very few > women available. Logically, they have to be in touch with several men at once.'
> While the FBI receives many complaints about these services, others insist that > 'email brides' are driven by more innocent desires and simply prefer the life > and manners of Western men.
> 'They are more reliable,' said Svetlana, 24, from Tchimkent, Kazakhstan, who is > using a dating service based in Leeds. 'I have met a few foreign men through the > internet but it is hard to find a good man, no matter the country.'
> John Weedon, 50, an accountant from Cambridge, met his wife, Irina, from > Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, over the internet and now runs the website A Russian Bride > to help Irina's friends in Bishkek find Western men.
> 'It's amazing how many Russian women want to get out of the former Soviet Union. > There are thousands of interested older men. Russian women don't seem to mind > older men,' he said.
> Russia's bogus 'email brides' > break the hearts - and wallets - of Western men
> Observer Worldview
> Nick Paton Walsh Moscow > Sunday May 5,2002 > The Observer
> He was a chauffeur aged 48 in Baltimore and she was a 28-year- old in Kiev. > Anthony DiMario first fell for Oksana Stolyarenko two months ago.
> They made contact through an internet agency and began exchanging emails. > Although they never met, she sent him her pictures and frank, articulate emails.
> Only a month later, DiMario stood in the arrivals lounge of Dulles airport, > Maryland, his dreams in tatters, having wired $3,350 (£2, 280) of his savings to > Oksana's 'agent' in Kiev.
> DiMario is one of hundreds of men who have fallen victim to the scams of 'email > brides' on the internet.
> Experts say the vast majority of 'email brides' are scams designed to lure > Western men into parting with cash. And they are the topic of a Hollywood film, > released next month. In Birthday Girl, Nicole Kidman plays a Russian who travels > to England to live with banker Ben Chaplin, after he orders her with a credit > card on the Net. Chaplin soon discovers that the woman lied about not speaking > English and is involved in a complex fraud.
> DiMario first sensed trouble when Oksana suggested she visit him in Baltimore as > a student. 'She said she needed $1,850 for visas, a flight and medical tests,' > he said.
> He was suspicious, but agreed when Oksana's agency, Kiev's Paradise of Angels > Internet Club, put him in touch with previous clients and assured him that he > would recoup most of the money when Oksana was granted state student benefits in > America.
> 'There seemed like nothing to lose, so I wired the money,' said DiMario. He was > delighted. 'I was divorced two years ago and it is so hard to meet single women > at my age.'
> But just as Oksana was due to leave Kiev, she called in a panic, saying the > airline had turned her away. She had to have $1,500 in cash in 'security money' > to clear US Customs. 'She said the rule was new and I had waited so long that I > wired it.'
> DiMario waited in vain for her arrival or emails but Oksana had vanished, as had > her agent. 'I began investigating and came across a site about Russian bride > scams. There I found pictures of "Oksana", using four aliases. The pictures she > gave me were not of her, but of a popular Russian model, Anna Smirnova. Oksana > was a real person, but nothing like who I thought she was.'
> Paradise of Angels Internet Club could not be reached for comment. 'Ninety per > cent of these "agencies" are scams,' said Chris Berry-Dee, 50, a British > criminologist, based in Portsmouth. 'Normally, with one of these agencies, a > letter comes back very quickly. Two or three letters later, the girl asks to > come and visit. But these are often just standard emails that agencies churn > out.
> 'The men are then asked to pay for gifts, translators and registration fees. > They are invited on tours to the former Soviet Union to meet these women and the > organisers then make excuses when the girl does not turn up at the hotel.
> 'On some of these sites, there are thousands of interested men but very few > women available. Logically, they have to be in touch with several men at once.'
> While the FBI receives many complaints about these services, others insist that > 'email brides' are driven by more innocent desires and simply prefer the life > and manners of Western men.
> 'They are more reliable,' said Svetlana, 24, from Tchimkent, Kazakhstan, who is > using a dating service based in Leeds. 'I have met a few foreign men through the > internet but it is hard to find a good man, no matter the country.'
> John Weedon, 50, an accountant from Cambridge, met his wife, Irina, from > Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, over the internet and now runs the website A Russian Bride > to help Irina's friends in Bishkek find Western men.
> 'It's amazing how many Russian women want to get out of the former Soviet Union. > There are thousands of interested older men. Russian women don't seem to mind > older men,' he said.
> "j_k_james" <nos...@newsranger.com> wrote in message > news:pMMJ8.20198$15.7036@www.newsranger.com... > > Russia's bogus 'email brides' > > break the hearts - and wallets - of Western men
> > Observer Worldview
> > Nick Paton Walsh Moscow > > Sunday May 5,2002 > > The Observer
> > He was a chauffeur aged 48 in Baltimore and she was a 28-year- old in > Kiev. > > Anthony DiMario first fell for Oksana Stolyarenko two months ago.
> > They made contact through an internet agency and began exchanging > emails. > > Although they never met, she sent him her pictures and frank, > articulate emails.
> > Only a month later, DiMario stood in the arrivals lounge of Dulles > airport, > > Maryland, his dreams in tatters, having wired $3,350 (£2, 280) of his > savings to > > Oksana's 'agent' in Kiev.
> > DiMario is one of hundreds of men who have fallen victim to the scams > of 'email > > brides' on the internet.
> > Experts say the vast majority of 'email brides' are scams designed to > lure > > Western men into parting with cash. And they are the topic of a > Hollywood film, > > released next month. In Birthday Girl, Nicole Kidman plays a Russian > who travels > > to England to live with banker Ben Chaplin, after he orders her with a > credit > > card on the Net. Chaplin soon discovers that the woman lied about not > speaking > > English and is involved in a complex fraud.
> > DiMario first sensed trouble when Oksana suggested she visit him in > Baltimore as > > a student. 'She said she needed $1,850 for visas, a flight and medical > tests,' > > he said.
> > He was suspicious, but agreed when Oksana's agency, Kiev's Paradise of > Angels > > Internet Club, put him in touch with previous clients and assured him > that he > > would recoup most of the money when Oksana was granted state student > benefits in > > America.
> > 'There seemed like nothing to lose, so I wired the money,' said > DiMario. He was > > delighted. 'I was divorced two years ago and it is so hard to meet > single women > > at my age.'
> > But just as Oksana was due to leave Kiev, she called in a panic, > saying the > > airline had turned her away. She had to have $1,500 in cash in > 'security money' > > to clear US Customs. 'She said the rule was new and I had waited so > long that I > > wired it.'
> > DiMario waited in vain for her arrival or emails but Oksana had > vanished, as had > > her agent. 'I began investigating and came across a site about Russian > bride > > scams. There I found pictures of "Oksana", using four aliases. The > pictures she > > gave me were not of her, but of a popular Russian model, Anna > Smirnova. Oksana > > was a real person, but nothing like who I thought she was.'
> > Paradise of Angels Internet Club could not be reached for comment. > 'Ninety per > > cent of these "agencies" are scams,' said Chris Berry-Dee, 50, a > British > > criminologist, based in Portsmouth. 'Normally, with one of these > agencies, a > > letter comes back very quickly. Two or three letters later, the girl > asks to > > come and visit. But these are often just standard emails that agencies > churn > > out.
> > 'The men are then asked to pay for gifts, translators and registration > fees. > > They are invited on tours to the former Soviet Union to meet these > women and the > > organisers then make excuses when the girl does not turn up at the > hotel.
> > 'On some of these sites, there are thousands of interested men but > very few > > women available. Logically, they have to be in touch with several men > at once.'
> > While the FBI receives many complaints about these services, others > insist that > > 'email brides' are driven by more innocent desires and simply prefer > the life > > and manners of Western men.
> > 'They are more reliable,' said Svetlana, 24, from Tchimkent, > Kazakhstan, who is > > using a dating service based in Leeds. 'I have met a few foreign men > through the > > internet but it is hard to find a good man, no matter the country.'
> > John Weedon, 50, an accountant from Cambridge, met his wife, Irina, > from > > Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, over the internet and now runs the website A > Russian Bride > > to help Irina's friends in Bishkek find Western men.
> > 'It's amazing how many Russian women want to get out of the former > Soviet Union. > > There are thousands of interested older men. Russian women don't seem > to mind > > older men,' he said.
> Russia's bogus 'email brides' > break the hearts - and wallets - of Western men
> Observer Worldview
> Nick Paton Walsh Moscow > Sunday May 5,2002 > The Observer
> He was a chauffeur aged 48 in Baltimore and she was a 28-year- old in Kiev. > Anthony DiMario first fell for Oksana Stolyarenko two months ago.
> They made contact through an internet agency and began exchanging emails. > Although they never met, she sent him her pictures and frank, articulate emails.
> Only a month later, DiMario stood in the arrivals lounge of Dulles airport, > Maryland, his dreams in tatters, having wired $3,350 (£2, 280) of his savings to > Oksana's 'agent' in Kiev.
> DiMario is one of hundreds of men who have fallen victim to the scams of 'email > brides' on the internet.
> Experts say the vast majority of 'email brides' are scams designed to lure > Western men into parting with cash. And they are the topic of a Hollywood film, > released next month. In Birthday Girl, Nicole Kidman plays a Russian who travels > to England to live with banker Ben Chaplin, after he orders her with a credit > card on the Net. Chaplin soon discovers that the woman lied about not speaking > English and is involved in a complex fraud.
> DiMario first sensed trouble when Oksana suggested she visit him in Baltimore as > a student. 'She said she needed $1,850 for visas, a flight and medical tests,' > he said.
> He was suspicious, but agreed when Oksana's agency, Kiev's Paradise of Angels > Internet Club, put him in touch with previous clients and assured him that he > would recoup most of the money when Oksana was granted state student benefits in > America.
> 'There seemed like nothing to lose, so I wired the money,' said DiMario. He was > delighted. 'I was divorced two years ago and it is so hard to meet single women > at my age.'
> But just as Oksana was due to leave Kiev, she called in a panic, saying the > airline had turned her away. She had to have $1,500 in cash in 'security money' > to clear US Customs. 'She said the rule was new and I had waited so long that I > wired it.'
> DiMario waited in vain for her arrival or emails but Oksana had vanished, as had > her agent. 'I began investigating and came across a site about Russian bride > scams. There I found pictures of "Oksana", using four aliases. The pictures she > gave me were not of her, but of a popular Russian model, Anna Smirnova. Oksana > was a real person, but nothing like who I thought she was.'
> Paradise of Angels Internet Club could not be reached for comment. 'Ninety per > cent of these "agencies" are scams,' said Chris Berry-Dee, 50, a British > criminologist, based in Portsmouth. 'Normally, with one of these agencies, a > letter comes back very quickly. Two or three letters later, the girl asks to > come and visit. But these are often just standard emails that agencies churn > out.
> 'The men are then asked to pay for gifts, translators and registration fees. > They are invited on tours to the former Soviet Union to meet these women and the > organisers then make excuses when the girl does not turn up at the hotel.
> 'On some of these sites, there are thousands of interested men but very few > women available. Logically, they have to be in touch with several men at once.'
> While the FBI receives many complaints about these services, others insist that > 'email brides' are driven by more innocent desires and simply prefer the life > and manners of Western men.
> 'They are more reliable,' said Svetlana, 24, from Tchimkent, Kazakhstan, who is > using a dating service based in Leeds. 'I have met a few foreign men through the > internet but it is hard to find a good man, no matter the country.'
> John Weedon, 50, an accountant from Cambridge, met his wife, Irina, from > Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, over the internet and now runs the website A Russian Bride > to help Irina's friends in Bishkek find Western men.
> 'It's amazing how many Russian women want to get out of the former Soviet Union. > There are thousands of interested older men. Russian women don't seem to mind > older men,' he said.
In article <20020531155904.19421.00001...@mb-bj.aol.com> winatbett...@aol.com (Win At Betting) wrote:
> Actually, Aaron's idea of going to the country ON YOUR OWN is the best one.
> Then you meet the women who aren't mercenary but who still want out of the > country.
> Ray Gordon, GENIUS
The previous post was made by "Ray Gordon", real name Gordon Roy Parker.
New readers are advised that, in response to long term disruptive and antagonistic behavior primarily by Mr Parker, a MODERATED alt.seduction.fast forum (often referred to as mASF) has been created. Moderation is largely limited to preventing posts by Mr Parker along with spam and off-topic posts. The result is a much more focused and useful forum.
The moderated forum (which, just like the Usenet one, is completely free) has proven extremely successful and now contains the bulk of A.S.F. activity.
No membership is required to browse/lurk the discussions through the site. Membership is free. Once signed up, you will be able to post using the web interface as well as read/post to the groups using your newsreader or through the mailing list features. It is possible to browse the groups as a guest, although registering provides additional functionality.
A legitimate e-mail address is required to sign up. Anonymous mail services such as hotmail are welcome. You will receive a password to the address you provide. You can edit your account profile to keep your address private. Posts through all interfaces do not contain any identifying information such as IP address or host name.
* * *
New readers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Ray's posting history, opinions and mental illness. Be sure to check out www.Ray-Gordon.com and click the "RayFaq" button on the top left. The site contains many of his archived posts. The site is NOT affiliated with "Ray", who's real name is Gordon Roy Parker, and he has made numerous threats of legal action against it.
* * *
Some other quotes from "Ray Gordon":
"There was no significant loss of life in those towers... NOT A ONE" Ray Gordon, real name: Gordon Roy Parker, September 11 2001
"A bunch of *ASSHOLE* New Yorkers died... don't grieve" Ray Gordon, real name: Gordon Roy Parker, September 11 2001
* * *
Has Ray given you the impression that he runs a successful, profitable business? Or that he commands expensive fees for his work? Then you may be interested to know that he can't even afford to pay his taxes. The IRS filed a tax lien of OVER TWELVE THOUSAND DOLLARS against him and his Mom (whom he lives with) which they STILL haven't been able to pay off AFTER SIX YEARS. You can view the official document HERE: (cut and paste the ENTIRE link onto a single line in your browser - will require two separate pastes to get both lines onto single browser line)
> > "j_k_james" <nos...@newsranger.com> wrote in message > > news:pMMJ8.20198$15.7036@www.newsranger.com... > > > Russia's bogus 'email brides' > > > break the hearts - and wallets - of Western men
> > > Observer Worldview
> > > Nick Paton Walsh Moscow > > > Sunday May 5,2002 > > > The Observer
> > > He was a chauffeur aged 48 in Baltimore and she was a 28-year- old in > > Kiev. > > > Anthony DiMario first fell for Oksana Stolyarenko two months ago.
> > > They made contact through an internet agency and began exchanging > > emails. > > > Although they never met, she sent him her pictures and frank, > > articulate emails.
> > > Only a month later, DiMario stood in the arrivals lounge of Dulles > > airport, > > > Maryland, his dreams in tatters, having wired $3,350 (£2, 280) of his > > savings to > > > Oksana's 'agent' in Kiev.
> > > DiMario is one of hundreds of men who have fallen victim to the scams > > of 'email > > > brides' on the internet.
> > > Experts say the vast majority of 'email brides' are scams designed to > > lure > > > Western men into parting with cash. And they are the topic of a > > Hollywood film, > > > released next month. In Birthday Girl, Nicole Kidman plays a Russian > > who travels > > > to England to live with banker Ben Chaplin, after he orders her with a > > credit > > > card on the Net. Chaplin soon discovers that the woman lied about not > > speaking > > > English and is involved in a complex fraud.
> > > DiMario first sensed trouble when Oksana suggested she visit him in > > Baltimore as > > > a student. 'She said she needed $1,850 for visas, a flight and medical > > tests,' > > > he said.
> > > He was suspicious, but agreed when Oksana's agency, Kiev's Paradise of > > Angels > > > Internet Club, put him in touch with previous clients and assured him > > that he > > > would recoup most of the money when Oksana was granted state student > > benefits in > > > America.
> > > 'There seemed like nothing to lose, so I wired the money,' said > > DiMario. He was > > > delighted. 'I was divorced two years ago and it is so hard to meet > > single women > > > at my age.'
> > > But just as Oksana was due to leave Kiev, she called in a panic, > > saying the > > > airline had turned her away. She had to have $1,500 in cash in > > 'security money' > > > to clear US Customs. 'She said the rule was new and I had waited so > > long that I > > > wired it.'
> > > DiMario waited in vain for her arrival or emails but Oksana had > > vanished, as had > > > her agent. 'I began investigating and came across a site about Russian > > bride > > > scams. There I found pictures of "Oksana", using four aliases. The > > pictures she > > > gave me were not of her, but of a popular Russian model, Anna > > Smirnova. Oksana > > > was a real person, but nothing like who I thought she was.'
> > > Paradise of Angels Internet Club could not be reached for comment. > > 'Ninety per > > > cent of these "agencies" are scams,' said Chris Berry-Dee, 50, a > > British > > > criminologist, based in Portsmouth. 'Normally, with one of these > > agencies, a > > > letter comes back very quickly. Two or three letters later, the girl > > asks to > > > come and visit. But these are often just standard emails that agencies > > churn > > > out.
> > > 'The men are then asked to pay for gifts, translators and registration > > fees. > > > They are invited on tours to the former Soviet Union to meet these > > women and the > > > organisers then make excuses when the girl does not turn up at the > > hotel.
> > > 'On some of these sites, there are thousands of interested men but > > very few > > > women available. Logically, they have to be in touch with several men > > at once.'
> > > While the FBI receives many complaints about these services, others > > insist that > > > 'email brides' are driven by more innocent desires and simply prefer > > the life > > > and manners of Western men.
> > > 'They are more reliable,' said Svetlana, 24, from Tchimkent, > > Kazakhstan, who is > > > using a dating service based in Leeds. 'I have met a few foreign men > > through the > > > internet but it is hard to find a good man, no matter the country.'
> > > John Weedon, 50, an accountant from Cambridge, met his wife, Irina, > > from > > > Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, over the internet and now runs the website A > > Russian Bride > > > to help Irina's friends in Bishkek find Western men.
> > > 'It's amazing how many Russian women want to get out of the former > > Soviet Union. > > > There are thousands of interested older men. Russian women don't seem > > to mind > > > older men,' he said.
Actually means Cash on Delivery of Baby with DNA matching payer.
Until they are making the Future of von Weytzentrenners secure, not one Euro would I give.
>We need to contact the reporter about Shane Neff...
>his RW asked for a divorce...30 minutes after she >got her green card.
>LOL!
>MLB
>"j_k_james" <nos...@newsranger.com> wrote in message >news:pMMJ8.20198$15.7036@www.newsranger.com... >> Russia's bogus 'email brides' >> break the hearts - and wallets - of Western men
>> Observer Worldview
>> Nick Paton Walsh Moscow >> Sunday May 5,2002 >> The Observer
>> He was a chauffeur aged 48 in Baltimore and she was a 28-year- old in >Kiev. >> Anthony DiMario first fell for Oksana Stolyarenko two months ago.
>> They made contact through an internet agency and began exchanging emails. >> Although they never met, she sent him her pictures and frank, articulate >emails.
>> Only a month later, DiMario stood in the arrivals lounge of Dulles >airport, >> Maryland, his dreams in tatters, having wired $3,350 (£2, 280) of his >savings to >> Oksana's 'agent' in Kiev.
>> DiMario is one of hundreds of men who have fallen victim to the scams of >'email >> brides' on the internet.
>> Experts say the vast majority of 'email brides' are scams designed to lure >> Western men into parting with cash. And they are the topic of a Hollywood >film, >> released next month. In Birthday Girl, Nicole Kidman plays a Russian who >travels >> to England to live with banker Ben Chaplin, after he orders her with a >credit >> card on the Net. Chaplin soon discovers that the woman lied about not >speaking >> English and is involved in a complex fraud.
>> DiMario first sensed trouble when Oksana suggested she visit him in >Baltimore as >> a student. 'She said she needed $1,850 for visas, a flight and medical >tests,' >> he said.
>> He was suspicious, but agreed when Oksana's agency, Kiev's Paradise of >Angels >> Internet Club, put him in touch with previous clients and assured him that >he >> would recoup most of the money when Oksana was granted state student >benefits in >> America.
>> 'There seemed like nothing to lose, so I wired the money,' said DiMario. >He was >> delighted. 'I was divorced two years ago and it is so hard to meet single >women >> at my age.'
>> But just as Oksana was due to leave Kiev, she called in a panic, saying >the >> airline had turned her away. She had to have $1,500 in cash in 'security >money' >> to clear US Customs. 'She said the rule was new and I had waited so long >that I >> wired it.'
>> DiMario waited in vain for her arrival or emails but Oksana had vanished, >as had >> her agent. 'I began investigating and came across a site about Russian >bride >> scams. There I found pictures of "Oksana", using four aliases. The >pictures she >> gave me were not of her, but of a popular Russian model, Anna Smirnova. >Oksana >> was a real person, but nothing like who I thought she was.'
>> Paradise of Angels Internet Club could not be reached for comment. 'Ninety >per >> cent of these "agencies" are scams,' said Chris Berry-Dee, 50, a British >> criminologist, based in Portsmouth. 'Normally, with one of these agencies, >a >> letter comes back very quickly. Two or three letters later, the girl asks >to >> come and visit. But these are often just standard emails that agencies >churn >> out.
>> 'The men are then asked to pay for gifts, translators and registration >fees. >> They are invited on tours to the former Soviet Union to meet these women >and the >> organisers then make excuses when the girl does not turn up at the hotel.
>> 'On some of these sites, there are thousands of interested men but very >few >> women available. Logically, they have to be in touch with several men at >once.'
>> While the FBI receives many complaints about these services, others insist >that >> 'email brides' are driven by more innocent desires and simply prefer the >life >> and manners of Western men.
>> 'They are more reliable,' said Svetlana, 24, from Tchimkent, Kazakhstan, >who is >> using a dating service based in Leeds. 'I have met a few foreign men >through the >> internet but it is hard to find a good man, no matter the country.'
>> John Weedon, 50, an accountant from Cambridge, met his wife, Irina, from >> Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, over the internet and now runs the website A Russian >Bride >> to help Irina's friends in Bishkek find Western men.
>> 'It's amazing how many Russian women want to get out of the former Soviet >Union. >> There are thousands of interested older men. Russian women don't seem to >mind >> older men,' he said.
j_k_james <nos...@newsranger.com> wrote in message news:<pMMJ8.20198> > Paradise of Angels Internet Club could not be reached for comment. 'Ninety per > cent of these "agencies" are scams,' said Chris Berry-Dee, 50, a British > criminologist, based in Portsmouth. 'Normally, with one of these agencies, a > letter comes back very quickly. Two or three letters later, the girl asks to > come and visit. But these are often just standard emails that agencies churn > out.
> 'The men are then asked to pay for gifts, translators and registration fees. > They are invited on tours to the former Soviet Union to meet these women and the > organisers then make excuses when the girl does not turn up at the hotel.
> 'On some of these sites, there are thousands of interested men but very few > women available. Logically, they have to be in touch with several men at once.'
Before you quote this "criminologist" (when does having written a couple of pulp/trade books based on readily-available information make one a criminologist?)you'd best check out:
seems he's now a shill for the Russian Bride industry. (plus he's posted a very padded vitae and knocked about 10 years off his age)
There is no doubt there are many women who want out of that life. If you choose to bring one out, stand by for being dumped as soon as the baby is born, the paperwork for citizenship is signed and sealed, or she finds someone closer to her age.
If you want to read a sad tale of woe regarding several attempts at bringing home a Russian bride, run a Google search on "Indle Anastasia King". Eye opener.
