Having a successful marriage is one of the goals that millions of adults share in the whole world.  That is why every year thousands of men and women engage in online dating sites and travel to foreign countries to meet whom they believe to be the love of their lives.

In this quest, Russia and other Eastern European countries like Romania and the Ukraine have become popular destinations. It is common to find men from all over the world (but especially from developed countries like the United States) looking for a long-lasting relationship online, and then traveling to meet her in person. Making plans to settle down and marry someone that you never met in person is not bad. The bad news is that marriage fraud in Russia, Romania and Ukraine is too common to be ignored. Private investigators in Moscow advise foreigners to be alert and cautious when dating someone from these countries.  A proper verification and background check investigation can keep you safe.

Although the majority of single women looking for love online are genuine and good people, there are many that only want to take advantage of men. Some are not even women, and definitely not who they claim to be. The sites that list Russian brides are in many cases managed by people who stole model pictures and hired other people to impersonate these models in chats. Regardless of the strategies used, the real intention of fraudsters is to obtain financial gain or an immigration status that will allow them to live and stay in another country.  The risk is real and should no be avoided.

Understanding marriage fraud

Marriage fraud is a crime and there is punishment for the perpetrators. But what is more important, marriage fraud can be avoided. Anticipating the risks and avoiding fraud is more valuable than serving justice, because if no crime is committed nobody loses. That is why private detectives in Russia recommend getting informed and learning the tools available to stay safe.

An important thing to keep in mind is that social media and online dating sites are the main starting point for many fraudsters.  The internet offers anonymity for criminals.  Most of the targets of marriage scam are men from developed countries like the United States, Australia, Canada or the U.K. because it is more likely that their financial status is good. Another reason is that these are the countries most people choose to migrate to due to the many opportunities they offer, which increased the chances of stumbling into someone wanting to marry just for a visa.  Having the victims thousands of miles away also helps the fraudsters have a space to work with several victims at the same time.

How to avoid being victim of marriage fraud?

Not all women in the Ukraine, Romania or Russia are scammers. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to tell the difference between an honest woman and a marriage scammer. For many victims, finding out the difference is a matter of time. Once things go bad and her real intentions surface, it’s already too late.

So waiting to see what happens is not an option. A relationship involves time, effort and money, and no one can afford to waste any of the above. Professional investigators advise that the best thing to do when meeting someone online (even if you get to meet them in person at any time) is to hire a dating background check investigation. An investigation of this kind conducted by an experienced investigator will provide enough information to know if the person you met is who she claims to be, and is being honest about the basics of her life: identity, work, education, marital status, etc.  Having the right information at the right time is essential to avoid being victim. Invest your time and money well!  Get clear evidence so you know the facts, and then make an informed decision.

Have you met someone online?  Contact us today for a free quote.

 C. Wright
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