Created: 21.07.2004 12:08 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 15:58 MSK
MosNews
Interpol agents have identified a Russian woman who defrauded an
Australian citizen of $5,000 through an online marriage agency, Newsru.com
reports. The man was under the impression that he had found a bride in the
central Russian city of Tula, and sent her the money for her journey to
Australia.
The Interpol agents were able to find the suspect through the bank that she had
used for the transaction. Through a photograph obtained by local police in the
internal republic of Marii El in central Russia, Interpol identified an
18-year-old student who had posted her photograph on an online marriage agency
web site, Regions.ru reported.
After getting the money sent by her potential suitor, she disappeared for over a
month. Fearing something had happened, the Australian then contacted the police.
The investigation, however, led to other young women who had deceived potential
suitors this way through online marriage agencies. A friend of the student had
run off with the money that she got from a Danish citizen seeking a bride.
The young woman faces up to three years in prison if convicted. However, the
instance of Internet fraud must be proven in court, Newsru.com reported, which
is not very easy.
Russia leads the world in terms of marriage agencies as the number of young
women seeking to marry foreigners is on the rise.
http://mosnews.com/news/2004/07/21/marriage.shtml