I began correspondence with a woman
from Ukraine around the end of April. I saw her ad in the match.com web
page. There must have been a special offer advertised since there were
probably 50-100 women from former Soviet Union countries on the site but now
there are almost none from any of the FSU! I wrote to 4 and Irina was the
only response. Her name is Irina Balla and she lives in Evpatoriya, Crimea, Ukraine. She did not give me a phone number since she said she had no phone.
Her scams are multiple! First, she claims to have a family emergency
needing immediate medical help. Then she needs more medical money.
Finally, she does the visa & ticket scam. I fell prey to the first scam. Her medical emergency was that her ma was
hit by a car. I did a few hours of research on the internet
regarding medical and economic conditions in Ukraine and her story of
inadequate medical supplies appeared to be based on truth. I knew that it
could be a scam but I didn't want to be wrong if someone was actually hit by
a car. I guess I am too trusting. If I had found the antiscam website
sooner I would have realized the prevalancy of this scam and not sent $350,
which is actually quite a bit to me at $35K a year income. Now that I have read antiscam I realize that every single warning sign was
present except for a big age difference (25 and 33) was present! Well I
know now. Bob.
Letter 1
Hi.
I so pleased that I’ve got your letter!!!
You are a very interesting man.
I’m sorry but I live in Ukraine. I hope it is not problem for
you. Ukraine is a poor country but I hope country where I
from, is not the main for you.
I’m thinking a lot about you..........I’m a very romantic person.
I will be waiting for your letter very much.
I will be happy if you send me some of your photos.
Irina.
Letter 2
Hi
I so pleased that has got your letter.
It is so many things that I want to tell you, I think I
start with history of my life:I was born at 10 of october in
Evpatoriya on south of Ukraine.
Ukrainian people are very good. But our country is poor and
corruption. I have no brother or sister.
I have mother and father I love them very very much. It is
the best people for me in the world.
I finished university. Some times ego I wanted to became a
fashion model. But it is very hard. And here for this is pay
not too much. But my friends think that I have all ability to
become a good model.
I think I must have time to myself and for my future family
but this work take all my free time.
Now I work in not big firma as a secretary but I do not know
yet whom I want to be.
My friends tell me that I beautiful but I do not know, I not
always complacent of as I look.
I like reading books about love. I like forest, mountains,
seaside. I want to walk with my lovely man by the forest. I
want to see sunrising on seaside with my love. I want to wake
up in your arms. I want that we will be two part of one. I
see – you are good man. I like you very much. I want to know
more about you – for me inside world of man is more important
that how he is looks. I believe that you will love me as much
as I will love you.
I understand that you want to know more about me. But I know
English bad. It is very hard for me to write. It is much for
one letter for me I of course will write more about me in
next letter. I use translation program and program that show
me my mistakes.
Now I searching for English teacher but that I found it is
cost too much for me.
I send you some of my pics (there is one more in my ad but
I do not remember the number of my ad), I want to send you
more but I have no scanner.
I will be waiting for your letter.
Your Irina.
Letter from Bob
Dear Irina,
Please, seriously I am having a hard time believing that a woman as
beautiful as you could be having a difficult time finding a husband. If I
can fall in love with you after a few letters and seeing your beautiful
pictures then the men in Ukraine who are able to talk to you and smell your
skin and touch your soft hair must be willing to give their lives for your
love. Irina, how can this not be true?? What do you really want? Why are
you so willing and eager to leave your country and come to the USA where you
will have to meet all new friends and will miss your family?
Sincerely, your friend,
Bob
Letter 3
Hi
You want to know more about me.
Ok.
I have university degrees I am an economist. I was finished
Evpatoriya economical university.
Evpatoriya is not big city (near 200000. people) it situated
near Black Sea side.
So there is an international seaport, (but there is no
international airport there, the closer airport only in
capital of Ukraine) I like to cook and prepare small
surprises to my relatives and friends. I think that woman
should keep home soul.
I like cinema; I like since fiction, comedies, love story.
I likes pets, a specially cats and dogs. I have a cat. Cat
has said myau - he greets you. My cat such cunning and
clever. At home he calm but on the street beats not only cats
but dogs too.
My loved color is blue and red. In the cloth of this color
I looks more beautiful then in other.
I have no money to buy an expensive cloth but I always look
beautifully.
My favorite meal. Mmmm I do not know I like everything, most
of all I like chocolate and sweetnesses.
I have no computer, I use computer and internet in internet
cafe but it is cost too much for me. So I can't use it very
often. But I think it is the best way to communicate. I even
have no telephone because this expensive too.
It is not easy to quarrel with me, but if I will offend it
will be for long. Sometimes, people quarrel because of
trivialities. I think that in this case that is better to do
small concessions than spoil a mood.
The most important for my - is family and that people good
thinking about me.
I have no boyfriend. All my boyfriends that I have had no
serious feelings to me. But this filling and relation between
man and woman is very serious for me and for this I can to
move to you, to move out from my country.
I want to visit you because we must to know each other
closer before me will marry. I only afraid if we will do not
like each other do you give me money for air ticket to come
back?(I hope it is never happen It's not problem that you
older than me.
I like you much.
Love Irina.
Letter 4
I'm sorry I have a too little money for internet cafe now.
But after two weeks or early I will have it. Do not worry.
Will you wait me?
Kisses Irina.
Letter 5
Hi Bob,
Sorry that I did not answer so long.
There is big grief there.
A car hit my ma and now she is in the hospital in the
critical condition.
We with my father do not know what do. The Doctor give us a
list that we needed to buy and said that all this needed to
buy immediately. Hospitals in out country poor and there is
nothing there, no even bandages and beds linen. The Doctor
has said that he helps all than can, but he can not to buy it
itself. If we does not buy all that he said in time, he said
that ma die, I not know that I then shall do, my ma the most
best person in my life. I in such mad condition that I seem
that this dream. This can not be.
My ma can die on my eyes. We with the father already have
spent all money which we had for this. Sold and pawned all
that have been able. And we needed near 390US$ more and we do
not know from where we can have it.
I understand that we with you practically do not know each
other. We faraway from each other in different countries, but
I ask you to help me. In the bank I have known that Western
Union it is fastest way to send money.
They told me that you will be needed my name - Irina,
surname - Balla, my address: Ukraine, town -
Evpatoriya(zip97402), street - Lenina 3, apt.23. I will
be only need to give Money Transfer Control Number them.
Sorry that I put you in my own problems but there is no
anybody from who I can ask help. But I needed money
immediately. I not even can promise that I will be able to
return you a money back.
Sorry if I has written something not in right order, my
condition in very terrible.
Your Irina.
Letter from Bob
Irina,
Sometimes I just put my faith in life and hope that I have done the right
thing. I sent you all the money that I can. There was not enough to send
you all that you needed. God bless you and your family. The Transfer number
is: XXXXXXXXX
Sincerely, Bob
Letter 6
Hi dear.
I have got money that you sended me.
Thank you wery much.
You so help for us.
Now I must to help my mother.
I will write you and tell you about condition of my ma.
Irina.
Letter from Bob
Dear Irina,
How is your ma??? What happened? I hope that you will write! Maybe you
read my long letter
and you do not want to write anymore? I sent you some silly pictures.
Maybe they will make
you smile if you are having some bad times. I hope that your ma is ok and
that you are not grieving!!!
I send my love and concern to you,
Your friend Bob.
Letter 7
Hi dear.
I'm very busy now but I found time to write you.
My ma now is feel herself much more better.
I do not want to remember that days when accident was been.
I was think in that days that my ma can to die.
Now the doctors told that she will be alright but she needs
to be at hospital near two weeks. And it will be cost much less.
You save my mother. I do not know how I can thank you.
I miss you. I want to visit you after two weeks.
Love Irina.
Letter 8
Hi dear.
Please help me one more time.
To buying a medication for my ma, and undertaking intensive
therapy is necessary to pay. I already had paid several
times. Tomorrow I need to pay 150US$. But my salary will be
only at 6th of June. I was asking for borrow money from
my friends but all find reasons to not to help me.
I hopes that you are able I help and that this will not be a
big problem for you.
Love you and hope on you.
Irina.
Letter from Bob
Dear Irina,
It is very hard for me to send you money Irina.
I helped you in an emergency without any questions Irina because I told you
that I was your friend. I took a chance that you were not tricking me
but I have no way to know. I decided to believe you. But we are just
beginning to be friends and you ask much from me but only share a little
about yourself.
I ask you about yourself and your family and your life in my letters. That
is what a friend does, no? But you do not answer the questions, even simple
questions. You say nothing about what I write! Do you read my
letters????? Only in one letter did you tell me a little about yourself,
but you only shared a little about what you love in your life and what you
do. Also, you do not ask me any questions. Why? Is there nothing that
you would like to know?? Please, I am not upset, but I do not understand.
It makes me sad to think that your ma is hurt. I know that if my ma was
hurt I would be terribly sad. But, you must do more than ask for money.
It is your turn to show me that you are sincere. In a short letter you must
make some promises to me before I will help you again.
1. Promise me that you will pay me back just like you promised your other
friends. You must tell me when you will pay me. You can pay some first and
some later if you like but you must tell me the dates when you will pay.
If you pay me back then I will know that I can trust you.
2. You must tell me if you have read the letters that I have sent you.
Yes or no?
3. Tell me why you do not answer questions about yourself and your family
or ask questions of me.
4. You must promise to send me a long letter that shows me the inside of
Irina's thoughts. What things do you
think are special about yourself? And what is your family like? You must
tell me how you will send the letter.
If you make both promises and answer both questions I will take another
chance and help you one more time.
Sincerely, your friend, Bob
Letter 9
Hi dear.
I have read all your letters.
I know English not well. I do not have enough money to seat
In internet cafe alot and some times it is difficult to me to
Understand all well. I write letter to you at home at sheet
of paper and then type it in internet cafe.
But do not worry I learn English now and
I promise I will know English good.
I will answer all your questions.
(Please write all your questions together).
I have found 150US$, my ma is Ok now.
My ma will be go out of Hospital near
8-9th of june,so I can visit to you near 9th of june.
What do you think?
Love. Love. Love.
Irina.(I say as E).
Letter from Bob
Dear Irina,
Thank-you for your beautiful letter. You are very sweet. I confess
that when I check the email to see if you have sent a letter to me my
heart is pounding. I do not have time to write much today because my
family is visiting today and Sunday for my graduation. We are making food
and we will have a party tomorrow. I am making a potato salad and quiches,
my ma is making other delicious things to eat! I will write to you as soon
as I can.
Sincerely, Bob
Letter 10
Your feelings to me is so beautiful and deeply. You are my
dream. I can't wait our meet. Now is late. I am tired and
very much I want to sleep. But my dreams will be gentle and
perfect because I fall asleep with a gentle idea on you,
lover. Of course I tell my parents best regards form you.
Tomorrow I shall come to tourist firm and shall try find out
ticket and visa cost.
And how long is it take to make all documents.
But I do not know what is the nearest international airport
from you?
My love to you became only much stronger and deeply.
Kiss you and wish you sweet dreams. Now I must go in my warm
bed under a down blanket to dream of our speed meeting in
sleep.
I write you tomorrow. Very very much love you.
Your sweet Princess.
Letter from Bob
Dear Irina,
You are very sweet. I also dream of meeting you. I try to imagine the
sound of your voice. I try to imagine what you look like in real life and
not modeling. I try to imagine what you home looks like. I have a million
questions to ask you. Will you share about your life? What is your family
like? Do you live with your parents? Do you have aunts and uncles and and
cousins living near? Are your grandparents alive? The more that you write
about yourself and your life the better I know you!! I will share anything
about my life that you want to know also. Please ask anything you want. We
will get to know more about each other.
I live nearest to San Francisco, California (international airport = SFO).
Bob
Letter 11
Hi dear.
I live with my parents.
I have uncle living in my town.I have no aunts or cousins
living near. My grandparents alive and live in my town too.
My parents are the best parents in the world.
I was known that tourist Visa cost 160US$.International
(foreign) passport will be cost 148US$. And it will take 5
days for paperwork to make all it.
I found out that air tickets from Kiev (capital of Ukraine)
to San Francisco cost 1370US$.
Love Irina.
Letter from Bob
Dear Irina,
Send me a phone number that I can call you at and a time and date. I
decided to investigate the possibility of you being a trick or a scam
and found some internet information that describes you completely. For
example the webpage explained that asking for money because of an
emergency, having professional photos and no natural in life photos,
never asking questiong, telling very little, and pretending to not
speak good English are signs of a scam. Thats you! Well if it is true I
hope you don't do it to other men because it isn't honest. If it is
true you might as well confess so that we don't waste any more time,
because I'm not going to send you any more money. If it isn't true then
send the phone number and we will talk and arrange for your visit.
Bob
Letter 12 and the last
Hi dear.
I had asked you for money. Only now I understand that It was
my mistake. But I had been in very bad condition and do not
thought about this. Please do not think about my problems,
because we know each other not so good and my problems it is
not your problems.
I afraid that I can lose you.
I will be never more place you in such conditions.
Please write me something..........
Do not leave me alone...
That was the last time I heard from her. I have sent 3 letters to her in
the past week. I sent the last one with a webbug that notifies me if she
has opened it and she hasn't. Bob.