Anyone out there familiar with this web site? I posted my ad 24 hours ago and I have already received 85 responses from Eastern European women ranging from 18-37. However, with so many girls sending me intro emails so quickly, I am concerned that this may just be a site that is randomly sending me these profiles. Why do I not open the emails and see what they say you ask? Well, everytime I do that it is going to cost me $8. Has anyone else had a similar experience with this site, and are they genuine? I would appreciate any information before I spend quiet a bit of money.

... in response to Anastasiaweb, posted by AndrewinOH on Oct 23, 2002

Anastasiaweb is a FRAUD and a RIP-OFF...stay away.  I used this service briefly and found that Anastasiaweb solicits profiles and pictures from various agencies in the FSU.  So, often, when you write to a girl, you are really sending your $8 email to an agency, which will send you an $8 form response.  The agencies have an agreement with Anastasiaweb.com that they receive a cut of the cash they bring in, so they have a financial interest in sending and receiving emails indefinitely and stringing along suckers (like me) with form emails.  I actually received a letter from a girl I personally met in Kherson last February.  I paid the $8 to read it because I recognized her and thought she was sending me a personal message.  Instead, it was just a form email as if written to a total stranger that she wanted to meet.  I paid $8 to read the email and paid $8 to send an email back (because that's just the way their rip-off system works) telling her I was they guy who took her to dinner at a not so inexpensive restaurant in Kherson.  Then, guess what?  "She" (really the agency) wrote back telling me she was so happy to receive an email from a man such as me and that she hopes one day we can meet in person (again, I paid $8 just to read this bogus form letter).  So, I called her on her mobile phone in Kherson and asked her what's going on, and she said she did not even know her "agency" was doing this on her behalf.  So, it was definitely a scam.  I have more examples of how I was scammed by this agency.  AND they have other girls on their site who told me they are already engaged.  Again, after paying $8 to send the email and $8 to receive the message just to find out she is already engaged and not available and not at all interested in meeting anyone else.  Anastasiaweb is a scam and should be added to this board's scam list.

... in response to Re: Re: What is the URL for this site?, posted by robobond on Oct 24, 2002

oops, make that "http://www.anastasisweb.com/"

... in response to Anastasiaweb is a SCAM!  Stay away., posted by johnnydudeman on Oct 24, 2002

Well, here I am, 48 hours after my post on the above web site....now I have 112 beautiful women to choose from!! Either I must be a real catch or this really is a scam. Funny enough, I am now seeing several pictures of women from many other sites pop up. Even without any experience I would definately have to say this is a scam. Thanks for all your advice.

... in response to Anastasiaweb, posted by AndrewinOH on Oct 23, 2002

Hey Andrew,

The fact is that most women who will respond so quickly to a new ad are usually scammers. Doesn't mean that all of them are. But it does pay to be suspicious. Frankly, I think its a good idea to write to a few of them anyway as long as you don't have to pay for the privilege!) It's a good education.

Just remember the cardinal rule is always: NEVER give money to ANYONE you haven't met. EVER.

Other than that... there is no blanket advice for the best way of doing this (though many will give you their opinions, certainly.)

There are many options. There are many good agencies that can help you out, and it is also quite possible to handle this by yourself.

The good news is that trips to certain areas are MUCH easier now than they were even two years ago. I don't believe that you need an agency as much these days as you used to. When I made my first trip to St. Pb things were a lot more difficult than it is today, for example. And Ukraine seems to continue to get easier to get into.

I would say "Tell us about yourself" but that might not be the best thing to do any more around here.

Zink, a long time poster, has a thing he put together for newbies. If you drop him a line, he can send you a list of a lot of valuable resources.

You're also welcome to drop me a line, and I can give you a (smaller) list of agencies I have dealt with, and believe are honorable, as well as websites and contacts you can use if you just want to do it yourself.

If you ask for general help from the board, you'll probably just hear "Contact Jack" or "Call Firstdream." A lot of guys seem hung up on that one agency -- even though some of the guys who will recommend it to you have never used it themselves.

There's nothing wrong with Firstdream, per se... It's not a scam agency. I've even used it in the past. It's just that there ARE other options, in case you are interested.

Also, when you sign on with Firstdream, you sign on to a certain methodology ... and while there is nothing inherently wrong with that either, it is not for everyone. You need to do what you feel comfortable with.

If you read the archives, you'll probably get a good sense of what is up, and who is who...

Good luck!

... in response to Re: Anastasiaweb, posted by BarryM on Oct 23, 2002

That is why I asked

... in response to Contact this office and complain, posted by fishtiger on Oct 24, 2002

I sent a letter of complaint to the office. If I hear back I will advise