question for law enforcement/scam busters

[bogie]

Okay - a friend of mine who has been enduring an ongoing midlife crisis (yup - he's got a Porsche...) has been corresponding via the internet with a girl from Russia. He says she got his web address off a matchmaker site he subscribed to.

I found out this weekend that he's already sent her $$ for plane fare. Assuming she actually shows up (his philosophy is that it's only money, and that he can afford it), could this likely be part of a larger scam? Is there anything I should be watching out for as his friend? I'm worried, since he's run into some problems in the past regarding women preying upon him.

 

[Mark Tyson]

I wouldn't trust anyone I meet over the internet, present company excluded(well, maybe). This girl is acting foolishly, in my opinion. He has no real idea who this person is. It might not even be a girl - there was a case in New England recently where a man posed as a girl online, lured some guy to his house and killed him.

 

[raz-0]

OK, all the same old problems with women preying upon him apply. except that you now involve such fun things as paying to bring "relatives" over. Or the regular trip back with "visa problems" or somesuch and having to pay to get her out of hock so to speak. Or worst of all being in a community property state, getting hitched, and shortly after having her abscond back to russia with half his property and go back to whoever she has there a wealthy woman.

Oh yeah, and to make it gun related, if she is there to rip him off, he can expect to ahve the screws put to him. Like claiming he's beating her and getting a restraining order and the subsequent problems that causes with one's firearm collection.

 

[Ala Dan]

OUCH! A very touchy subject-

No doubt, Russian women want to be loved too! Some are
very beautiful; as a young Marina Oswald (Lee Harvey's
widow). Some are very deceiving. Most want
to come to the U.S. for all the wrong reasons! If your pal
is already sending her his hard earned "green back's";
chances are she will ask for more? Once on U.S. soil, she
could most certainly rake havoc with your friends finances,
marriage, job security, and life-style. I would be hesitant
to go any further; and try to slide out of this relationship
A.S.A.P.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[pax]

Sorry, Bogie, but this one really is Off Topic.

"Posts must be related to firearms."

Those who have useful advice or observations about this, please respond to Bogie's question via PM.

pax