Follow-up to Lugansk scam agency

[KenMan]

... in response to I don't feel so bad about ragging on Ken..., posted by BarryM on Apr 19, 2002

Unfortunetly you have taken on the personality of someone who belittles himself with inferior insults. All one most do is look into a mirror to see who is really there. In reality that is :-) As far as the scammer situation it was sent out and I was waiting a reply which I never did receive from Jack or Lugan Girl. You see all they can do is make up MORE LIES. Well here are the FACTS and I have the emails for those interested to back up my claims. I contacted Lugan Girl and expicitly told them I wanted to communicate with someone who knew English well enough so that I would not need a translator or "interpreter". You see I made reservations for a trip in May that I have since canceled to the tune of $700. I have the plane reservations via Orbitz also in email for those interested. Anyways the first letter was very nice. You see I have already been to Ukraine and Lugansk in particular. Well in one letter the lady says she goes to the Babylon Bowling Club. In another letter she says she has never been there and does not like bowling. When I mentioned the Olympics and how I was suprised that Ukraine had not won a medal I receive a letter saying how she has enjoyed watching the Olympics and her country win many Gold medals. I had a strange feeling so I stopped writing for a monthly service I had just started paying for. Well two weeks later the day before Woman's Day I recieve a letter asking why I have not written. The next day I receive a letter from Lugan Girl asking me to send gifts for Woman's Day. I wrote to them and told them I thought that was very distasteful and why I not only stopped writing but canceled my holiday plans. I get a letter saying the translator confused things and that the girl was really interested in writing to me. Remember I requested someone who knew English and did not need a translator. It was just another lie! Anyways if the girl was interested she would have taken the time to make sure she corresponded directly with me. Also I did send a gift on Valentine's Day. I received a picture with her and in the background there are other gifts that I did not send. I thought that was very tacky! Anyways you and everyone see my email address as I have nothing to hide. WHERE IS YOURS??? Hiding behind the computer of yours? Why don't you come out and discuss this in an intelligent mannor. You do have the capabilities? As far as Jack he is not resonsible for the Agencies over there. He seems to try his best. I have never had a problem with him personally. This is a Lugan Girl matter not Jack's. Yet he does do business with them.

[BarryM]

... in response to Wrong BarryM... it was a scam!, posted by KenMan on Apr 19, 2002

Here is what I see from the situation... Lugan-girls screwed up in their services to you. It was a business mistake. There was not an intention to defraud you of money that I can see. People screw up on the job. It's a pain in the ass to deal with but as long as LG honestly admits the mistake and makes up for it, you shouldn't be crapping your shorts over it.

You really screwed up by cancelling your trip over there. If this girl you were writing wasn't the right one for you, there are plenty more to meet... don't you have a backup plan? You just wasted $700. It seems that you have a problem with patience and communications. Miscommunication with a woman is a normal thing. If you haven't had that experience, I suggest you really think hard about finding a RW. Your girl's confused and mistranslated letters are a minor issue and I would have disregarded it as a fluke. Scams involve money... usually a bunch of money. I don't see any abnormal money issues here.

One of the reason I'm so harsh with guys on here is that I see some personality issues that could be problems with RW. Being nitpicky and flying off the handle about small irritations and agency screwups is one of them. RW are not going to be submissive and put up with unreasonable sh!t. I suggest you be more laid back and work out the problems before start screaming SCAM. If the girl is a tramp or a b1tch, them move on. I've dated more women in the total b1tch category that I can count on my fingers.

The fact is, no matter how many letters you write or times you visit, it's not real until you get her here and marry her. Until that time, you are still single and available to meet anyone else you wish. LD relationships such as with RW require that sort of operational attitude. This is not the 19th century when arranged marriages and marriage proposals by correspondance were not uncommon.

-blm

[KenMan]

... in response to You screamed SCAM before you engaged you..., posted by BarryM on Apr 19, 2002

You think I would throw away $700? I have a $700 credit over the next 12 months. At this point I would rather concentrate my time, energy and money on building my new house. I will then take a nice holiday in the Oct/Nov. There are plenty of women where I live anyways. I do not dislike or feel dislike for American women. All women are nice when you treat them nice.... but most importantly RESPECT YOURSELF!!! demand it from others if you have to! I will expect this if I am to ever go over there again. That means NO translation fees/translators and NO interpreters. That is what I asked for from Lugan Girl. They did not deliver so whatever you want to call it by me it was WRONG!!!

[BrianN]

... in response to Re: You screamed SCAM before you engaged..., posted by KenMan on Apr 19, 2002

No agency, and no contact.

Russia, ain't america.  (and america stands well on it's own in lower case).

[BarryM]

... in response to Re: You screamed SCAM before you engaged..., posted by KenMan on Apr 19, 2002

but I still think you shouldn't be accusing LG of scamming when they didn't. They screwed up, yes, but scamming has an intent of harm. They have admitted their error. Give them the chance to reconcile it with you. I know how you feel about this agency screw up... every have to deal with the phone company on a regular basis? I know how to get credits from them now by dealing with them on a professional level without screaming SCAM when they screw up. Self respect means as much to allow yourself a chance to unload the frustration and resentment of a disagreement with mutual respect. You should try to make up with your girl also. Just because she phones in an email to send to you and it gets screwed up in the translation doesn't mean you should dump her. Why should you care if she can't figure out whether she likes bowling or not. It only really matters how she feels about you... the rest is small stuff and gravy.

If I had the opportunity to go to Ukraine next month, I wouldn't hesitate. You can build a house any time.

-blm

[Richard]

... in response to Wrong BarryM... it was a scam!, posted by KenMan on Apr 19, 2002

that Elena was using the translator to communicate with as a matter of convenience rather than as a translator?  I am thinking that it was easier to dictate a letter to the translator to forward to you rather than come into the office and send the letter herself?

I am also puzzelled by the fact that you are complaining about Elena using an intermediary in the first place and now you are refusing to comunicate directly with her now that the agency does not want to be in the middle? WHy is this?

[KenMan]

... in response to KenMan: Is it possible ..., posted by Richard on Apr 19, 2002

Listen man, if someone was really interested in someone they would GO OUT OF THEIR WAY to communicate with them. I know this by experience by what some people do. Therefore if she was REALLY interested she would have taken matters into her own hands and NOT allowed a THIRD PARTY get involved. You see these $700 plane tickets, plus other travel expensives and correspondence adds up to a little bit of pocket change. Out of respect I think she would have made a more sincere effort. I know I would if someone was traveling over 10,000 miles to visit me. Wouldn't you?? I feel after being lied to it is not in my best interest to pursue this one girl or agency any further. I agree she might not have any idea of the exact details? Personally I believe the girls who I got along great with on my last visit are being deceived more than the men. Who knows what they are being told?

[Zink]

... in response to Re: KenMan: Is it possible ..., posted by KenMan on Apr 19, 2002

It's your call on whether or not you want to communicate with her. But you say it is her fault for not making an effort. Did she have your phone number or adress? Do you realize how expensive and difficult it is for them to call the US? How could she know that you were interested when you quit communicating? Is she even aware of everything that happened between you and the agency?

I don't know the details and I'm not making a judgement. But if you were willing to make this trip for her in the first place isn't she worth a little effort now? After all you said it was the agencies fault and not her's. You're punishing her for something you don't know that she was involved in.

[Patrick]

... in response to Follow-up to Lugansk scam agency, posted by Jack on Apr 18, 2002

I hope everyone now realizes why I ask for details of scam reports.  We've just had two cases where it was claimed.  One from a man who took some mis-translation as indication of a scam, and was unwilling to post the evidence to the board directly (for God knows what reason!).  Then we have a 56 year-old call another agency names for him not succeeding with the 19 year-old women he met through them.  At least in that case the poster was willing to publically discuss his reasons and it became obvious what was going on.

I fully realize that there's scamming going on out there, but I'd prefer that REAL scam reports make it to these pages instead of misunderstandings and the outright insane expectations being unmet that we've just seen.  Remember, DETAILS PLEASE, and ALL OF THEM, not just a "They're a scam" like so often gets posted here.  If you have a legitimate case against an agency or woman, the details will stand up to scrutiny.  Posting the DETAILS will also better help others avoid the same mistakes.

[Michael B]

... in response to Follow-up to Lugansk scam agency, posted by Jack on Apr 18, 2002

Not "could it have been avoided?" but "can it be undone?"

Hello Kenneth,
How are you my dear?
Can you name me at least one reason of your not writing to me?
Your Elena

(suggested response from Ken)

The reason is that I had a misunderstanding with your agency. There was an error in the translation of one of your letters and I thought they were being dishonest. Because I really AM very interested in you, I have had a friend "in the business" who is both experienced and trustworthy talk with them and now I realize it was all just a mistake. The agency was good enough to give me your home address and telephone so that we can communicate directly .............

Now, from here, it's up to Ken to resume where they left off.

[Ramblin]

... in response to The question is?, posted by Michael B on Apr 19, 2002

n/t.

[BrianN]

... in response to Follow-up to Lugansk scam agency, posted by Jack on Apr 18, 2002

It really seems as if, in so many cases, it's the agencies that will take advantage of the man/woman relationship for $$$, and not so much the woman.  I know there's scammer women out there in cahoots with agencies, and women without, just for western union bucks...  But I'd like to think though, that Elena (or her identity), was likely used by the agency to manipulate the situation, or encourage further correspondence, which not only makes the customer a victim, but the lady too.  

When she comes back and corrects everything, it's obvious that someone else was speaking on her behalf previously, (the giveaway was the fingernail thing? or was it?  Who knows), without her knowing about it.  It's not a big thing imo... to generate business and email traffic, but if it doesn't come to a reasonable end quickly, with the woman herself, then the whole thing ends up a total wash-out.

It really sucks, this situation... as you said, this girl could have been "the one", but yet because of some liberties that the agency took before hand, on the assumption of compliance and agreement from her, she ends up (as well as ken), on the back burner.

I'd hope this agency, has learned a lesson on this too.... as in, don't f with the men, (and be sure you know exactly what you're talking about) even if your intentions are honorable, on behalf of the lady.

To do otherwise, is to invite more disasters such as this.

[Jack]

... in response to I'll tell ya Jack..., posted by BrianN on Apr 19, 2002

I hear you Steve and cannot disagree with anything you have said. But don't you think it would have been better to know for sure that you were being scammed and then hollering scam, as oppossed to think you are being scammed and hollering scam!

In many ways KenMan is like a lot of guys. He is suspecting scam, he is looking hard for scam. When you think about it hard enough, and when you look for it hard enough, it won't be too hard to see something that can make you think scam.

In everything I read between the two individuals, I CANNOT see the scam that KenMan see's! I read of a lady who is only writing him, no one else (this is great, what more could you ask for from a lady). I see an agency that has admitted to errors in translations. I see a letter written by a lady that is NOT the typical scam letter, I see a lady asking real questions of Ken and answering his previous questions. I see of an agency that is telling a man, "Communicate with her yourself! She speaks well enough English. Here is her address, here, you write her, you talk to her".  Scam agencies don't do this because most the time they don't have the real woman! This woman Elena is real, she told a lot about herself, the woman showed care and concern in her writings to Ken.

In my opinion KenMan should have played this out a little further if he suspected scam. He could have, and should have asked all these questions of Elena, instead he writes the owner, he tells the owner, "YOU are scamming ME!"

[BrianN]

... in response to I'll tell ya Steve..., posted by Jack on Apr 19, 2002

steve?  haha... no, don't you know I'm Jack?

[Jack]

... in response to Re: I'll tell ya Steve...  , posted by BrianN on Apr 19, 2002

Sorry Brian, I forgot who I was this week, couldn't remember if I was BarryM, Steve or Tatyana. My screw-up.