Paypal will only work between US based banks. In other words, find a Wells Fargo, B of A or Chase over there. I tried it once. Paypal will release the money, but only to buy merchandise.
If they can find a bank that is open your only option is wire transfer and it is not cheap. paypal is not really an option for Ukraine since the fees that are charged by the bank are the same as a wire transfer and more than money gram or western union. I gave my step son a paypal debit card ( only issued in the US) to use in Sumy, the fees are cheaper than money gram but the banks have a strict limit on how many griv you can draw out at the bank o mat.
A friend of mine who has family in America now said they had to open a bank account in Crimea to receive US Dollars from their family. The bank in Crimea then gave wire instructions to receive Dollars and it was relayed to the member of the family member in the US. I would think it depends on the bank. Need to find a bank that is not on the sanctions list.
Does anyone know if any ATM networks are functioning in Russia and Crimea. bowhunter: if you can P.M. me with specifics on the Paypal debit card. I called them but got the phone bank in Philippines and couldn't get rational information or past the "lion at the gate" the call ended at the dumbass without moving up the ladder..... No child left behind
paypal works at all bank o mats and the fees are low but to get the as we call it debit card you need to be based in the US. wire transfers to Ukraine and Russia require a sister or partner bank in the US. The bank you will wire the money to will need to give you the routing number to the band in the US as well as the information for there bank. for amounts at or around 10,000 it is best just to fly in with it.
My Girlfriend in the Crimea did suggest using unistream which is in the Crimea. I was using Western union until all the sh*t went down there.I still have money stuck in no mans land there now with WU . the only way she can pick up, is to take a ferry ride across to Russia and pickup.
they can't travel over the border to Ukraine. but they can travel to Russia on a Ukraine passport but can't not travel in a Ukraine register Car.
one problem for me is unistream is not in Australia but in the USA,UK,EU. lucky so far she has found work now so she not in needed of money.
RodanTsunami I would like to know your story. The new scam now is to make you think that she is your fiancé so that you support her financially. I am not saying this is the case here, but why are you sending the money?
"sending money to your girlfriend you silly " Well OK.
I just know of cases where the girl pretended to be a girlfriend to as many as 10-15 other guys to get financial support. I am not saying this is the case here. Just be cautious.
Personally I would not offer financial support until marriage. (Not just engagement.)
The problem is not in the house, it is on the street. All women are scammers, nearly 6 years with this one and nothing but passion. Someone swat that gnat buzzing around!
I would try sending it to a USD account in Crimea. Your friend will have to open a bank account in USD. Also you'll need all account info. including IBAN, etc.
I think this is the easiest option. The only thing is that you'll have to pay wire transfer fees. Good luck!