here is the way they do it. They start innocent. they say they will come to see you. they say daddy will help. then they say daddy has connections with the goverment to get her into the US. then they say daddy will pay for the plain ticket. then they say daddy cannot afford to pay for the passport and visa so could you help. each time they send a better and better picture. the tip off is they seem not to understand what you say-- oh yes they do! seems reasonable, so i send $340 for the passport and visa and daddy pays the rest. Oh but daddy found our he must buy round trip ticket so he wants to know if I can foot another $374 to make up the difference. Hey its a bargain and I dont have to go to Russia. Send it off- never hear from them again. My sister works for the INS. she said that a single woman almost can never get a visa to the US, Unless Putin himself request it.