I met a girl who lives in Lugansk, I went to see her twice and would like to invite her in Paris soon.
She wants to book herself the tickets through a local travel agency in Lugansk.. I said ok, but that I will do a transfer payment to the agency account.
However, I don't want to pay before she gets the visa. This trip is going to cost me 1500€ and I want to do a pre-booking. Does anybody knows if it possible with Ukrainian agencies?
Even better, does anyone would have the contact information of serious and reputable travel agencies in Lugansk?
I trust her, but several things are a bit strange. We write to each other in English but she speaks perfect French. So I sent her a letter in French and then she replied that her computer confused the letters, and that I had to write her in English :-/ Like if someone else had to understand my messages, or if a translation agency was behind, even if it is unlikely as she speaks also good English.
The headers of emails show "EHLO LENA", which is not her name.
You have meet her.Dont pay before she gets visa simple.When you met her did you speak english and french?...I wouldnt worry to much just becareful maybe you have been reading so many bad things on this site.But always good tobe on you guard.Also my girlfriend speaks good Englsh but cant write very well..
Why would this trip cost 1500 euro ? A flight Kiev-Paris is around 400 euro 2 way, a flight Lugansk - Kiev should be no more than 200-250 USD, let's say 200 euro. That's 600 euro. The embassy in Kiev accepts now documents via courier services and all this together costs around 100 euro. That's it. Where does this 1500 euro come from ?
I would not send any money but just book everything myself, like I always did. And then just email her the e-tickets...just my 2 cents...
Stand your ground,
Be a man, you will book and pay for her tickets online, there is no logical reason why she must have the money except if she never intends to travel.
The cost also includes hotel for us for 2 weeks.
She is quite young, 20, and said her family feels more secure if she books herself as the agency takes total responsibility of her. So I don't mind if she books from a local agency, I want to be sure that the agency is genuine. This is why I would like to have some advice on agencies there so I know where my money goes...
I am not paranoiac, but, hmmm this is quite lot of money :)
Yes, this is quite a lot of money, and unless you begin to think with the head you have above your shoulders then you're about to wave 'au revoir' to your money ..... and her.
Just go to www.google.com and search for 'ticket and visa scam' or 'Russia blacklist'.
Give this travel agency a try www.kiyavia.com email: info@kiyavia.com 044-490-4901, this company is legit and they have a large office in Lugansk, on Ul. Sovietskaya, and the office has been at the same location for years. If your girlfirend is a local, I am sure she knows exactly where this place is located.
Mick, when making arrangements to travel with a girl, the normal thing to do is ask the travel agency for an itinerary of the hotels etc. You can then check out the hotels and costs and if you like their proposal you can then pay for it by credit card. If it turns out to be a scam, you can get you bank to refund the money.
If the agency does not take credit cards, then get your girlfriend find one that does.
I had a similar situation once and all turned out well.
Mick: The cow’s tits have been greased, the bucket is nicely positioned, soon it will be filled with Western milk. Now who’s the “Dairy Maid” in this picture? It certainly isn’t you. Listen to Martin, you are on a hiding to nothing.
Waoo, i am quite amazed about what I ve learned about scams, about Lugansk, and most of all about scams in Lugansk.
I saw things about pro-daters, about their scenarios, I went to visit her twice and I was so amazed about taxis rates, these taxis drivers were always the same, she booked my apartment. Her friend was always with us. Never alone, exept to drive me to the airport, by a known taxi driver of course. Taxi fees cost me 2000 grh from donetsk to lugansk. I saw it costs 600. f...K!!
I saw also that the landlord woman of my flat was a scammer in 2003. Funny thing, we were good "friends", she wanted to go to europe and asked me if I could help her with he plane tickets. I though it was humour, I answered to her email without talking about this, and she never answered me back since 1,5 month.
Ok I m gonna play the game.
The girl I met is young, beautiful. Living with a FSU woman is for me not an obligation but a choice. I am French, originaly from Poland and Bielorussia and want to do my life with someone from there because I love this culture, but in Europe it is just too difficult to meet FSU people.
Today I told her that hotel reservation would only be by pre-booking. Now I understand a lot about this business, I hope in my heart that there is no BS in that, but really my head doubt a lot about it!
mickel3D same thing happened to me first time I went. Taxi fares, apartment rent,fee to be "introduced" to the women even. Excursions to see the sights I refused, but they would have cost a fortune if I took them.
After I left she broke away from the agency and we continued a relationship. Things fell apart later because I couldn't get it out of my head that she had been in the pay of the agency all the time. Even though she explained fully the method and workings of the agency I could never really trust her again.
You don't need an agency....travel agency or not...to book anything.
Sounds like your lady is still in the pay of an agency. You are being duped. Read Dunromins post.
What you wrote here about the computer confusing letters is bullshit. It a red flag.
EHLO LENA", which is not her name....another red flag.
Lugansk...red flag,
She's a single girl...doubtful if she's get a visa without supreme hassle.
Flight return Kiev to Paris...300 dollar max.
The fact that you don't seem to have been alone together makes no sense if she's serious about you.
It's part of the economy in Ukraine; westerners visiting young women are get fleeced.
These girls are that much away from being hookers and some of them are.
Empty your balls into her if you get the chance and leave.
Save yourself some hassle. Better still line up some pro's take some condoms...you'll have a better time.