I am a 50+ Single White Male from east coast US. I have average looks and an average body...I am not wealthy or famous...
I speak intermediate Russian and have been to Ukraine 8 times...over about 5 years now.
I have had many relationships with ladies in Ukraine. We met and got to know each other in various ways...By dating site, Facebook, Vkontakte (the Russian Equivalent to Facebook), by letter, by phone and in person...I have made several good friends and had a few lovers, but have not yet found "the one and only"..
There are many many scams and scammers, yet there are also many lovely, sincere and intelligent ladies looking for a boy friend, lover and especially a husband who is a non Ukrainian man...
So don't give up, just get smart! Let me sum up some hard learned good lessons for you:
1. Only communicate with ladies who speak good to fluent English...unless you speak Russian yourself. What? you gonna take a translator to bed with you? Get real!!!
2. Favor ladies from next tier cities like Nikolaev, Donetsk, Kharkov, Kherson, Rivne, Simferopol...there are a higher percentage of scammers in Kyiv and Odessa, though I have also met lovely and sincere ladies in Kyiv and Odessa too.
3. NEVER send anyone money or gifts until you have met a woman in person and even then be cautious. Most flowers or candy are never delivered...The agency and the girl simply split the cash. So if you do send flowers or candy, ask for a picture of your lady with her gift.
My favorite Ukrainian ladies originally all refused to take any money for anything, even taxi fare home after a date...until we really got to know each other over several dates. They actually have a derogatory term for Ukrainian women who take your money: a "Natasha".
4. Do not enter into this adventure unless you are planning on following through. You need to be prepared to take a real visit to a real woman who you have gotten to know through letters and telephone calls. And tell her early in your correspondence that you fully intend to visit if you two hit it off in the virtual world.
But even then beware. I know of one professional letter writer who would correspond with many men on behalf of an agency and conduct "fake" romances. If the guy ever decided to come to Ukraine, then she and her agency would share the letters and "romance" with the girl in the profile and pictures and explain to her about her "boyfriend" and their "romance". These are doomed from the start. I am also not a big fan of "chat" sessions, but a video chat seems like a possible way to avoid communicating with someone who is not really the person in the profile.
5. Develop a few Ukrainian ladies and men who are your friends and will be a live screening committee!
I have several Ukrainian friends (mostly ladies but a few couples too) who I now have screen any new relationship...these ladies know how to tell who is sincere in about 30 seconds.
One of my friends is actually a notorious scammer herself, who became very good friends with me...I started out by including her as a paid translator and dinner guest on a few occasions and charming her.
After only a few occasions and many drinks, she decided we were friends and never again accepted for a dime from me....despite going on dozens of "double dates" with a lady of my choice...But I always invited her and her real boyfriend along...and always paid for dinner...or the date...like movies or bowling or clubbing...and I always tried to use my Russian when I could.
We laugh at her stories. She is totally shameless and has scammed dozens of Americans...Another friend is an ex-pat American with fluent Russian who lives in Odessa...he has dated scammers and has similar amazing and funny/sad stories.
Thank you George. It is very useful post. We have discussed each point on this forum many times. All men involved in the venture should use your advise. I may not agree with you on point 1. as I have had many stories when language was never an issue initially, and one doesn't need to take an interpreter to bed. but at least some basic English is required.
Regarding point 1, you might have worded it "Two's company, three's a crowd" rather than risking offence to Russian nationals such as (our) Olga insinuating that it's all about getting them in to bed.
Ive had similar experiences. One of my best friends in Kharkov has scammed dozens of westerners and screens some dates now since i stopped seeing a girl in March. She thinks she knows what I want,lol. She's a good girl though to me and lots of fun together and trust. Im just taking things as they come to me now. who knows, but enjoy yourself, yes?
Number 3 is of particular importance. It has been the source of many debate and bickering among forum members. The key statement is "until you have met a woman in person and even then be cautious."
Even if this statement is followed, there is a forum member who has used many names, now it's "dangood", who will hound posters, make derogatory remarks and call their dates scammers. Newbies specially are in danger of his abuse.
Furthermore, even if the poster has not posted anything about sending gifts or money, Danny or dangood will dig and ask questions and when it is disclosed, the abuse begins.
“The member “danny 41” or "dangood" makes statements that are untrue and offensive! We will not acknowledge his words, as not to give him any attention!”