Every day more and more people around the world are becoming victims of Russian romance scammers, despite the increased knowledge and awareness of the risk.  How can this still happen?  The truth is that even though internet and dating website users are learning more about the risks, criminals learn and adapt even faster how to scam better, how to appear more real and how to avoid being caught. Everyone using social media, online dating sites or even an email account is at risk.  Major sites like Facebook, VK -in Russia- and Match.com have millions of users, but there are thousands of other sites where criminals target their victims.  If you use the internet, you could be at risk!

Russia private investigators are in a good position to see the rising risk for online dating fraud and scams.  Unfortunately, Russia was historically one of the fastest growing countries for online crime since the beginning of the internet. This is due to a combination of tech savvy population, mixed with poor economic conditions for many of the citizens, and a reputation for beautiful Russian women. This combination created an environment ripe for romance scams that continue to increase.

When should you be wary?

Most Russian romance scams target victims from the U.S., Canada and the U.K., and Australia, but anyone can be a victim.  Russian police and authorities have tried to fight this type of crime, but no country is prepared to battle the growing problem efficiently when big corporations keep offering tools to protect the anonymity of the criminals.  Educating people on how to recognize and reduce the risk has been the best alternative method to stop Russian scammers, but most importantly conducting proper background check investigations is the best step in reducing your risk.

What can be done to avoid falling victim to a Russian romance scammer?

“It is important for people to know that dating background checks in Russia conducted by professional investigators do stop criminals from getting away with their intentions” says Peter Kossakovsky, Director of Background Checks at Russia PI. Scammers are professional criminals that know how to gain their victims’ trust and eventually obtain financial gain or personal data, but investigators can uncover the lies.  It takes a professional in Russia with the proper training, resources and access to information to determine if the person you’re communicating with is legitimate or fraud. A background check investigation conducted locally in Moscow provides evidence of the identity and background of the person in question, and will help you make a smarter and more informed decision.

If you’re involved in a personal relationship with a Russian woman or man, or if you have met someone online from Russia, hire a professional dating verification as soon as possible!  The cases of Russian romance scam are not decreasing, on the contrary, they are keeping our investigation team busy. If you do not want regrets, prevention is your smartest option. Contact us for a free quote!

C. Wright
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