Warnings
Internet Dating Service Caution
The U.S. Consulate General Vladivostok is aware that individuals using the Internet have attempted to defraud U.S. citizens of money, primarily through fraudulent dating services or marriage agencies.
The schemes typically involve requests for money to be sent to Vladivostok to buy air tickets, pay for visa fees, and settle other expenses associated with a Russian purporting to make arrangements to visit their American correspondent.
In some cases the money and the Russian correspondent have disappeared.
The Consulate is not in a position to assess the credibility of the many dating services or marriage agencies operating in Russia.
U.S. citizens should exercise common sense and caution when responding to requests for money.
Should a U.S. citizen consider himself or herself to be a victim of fraud which occurs in Russia, remedies are limited to those available under local laws. Seeking restitution, however, can be time consuming and expensive.