IF YOU RECEIVED A LETTER FROM OUR COMPANY ASKING YOU TO CONTACT US OR POLICE IN RUSSIA...

First of all, thank you for visiting our site. 

We expect you to have a lot of questions about the process, and to save you time we have put some of the questions that we expect to be frequently asked online for you. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to help.

Question: I do not even remember the lady mentioned in the letter. Are you sure I sent money to her?

Your name and contact information was obtained from Western Union records, so you must have sent her something, otherwise Western Union would not have your information.

Question: How do I know that you are a real company?

We have been around for about 8 years now. Use a search engine to search for "Elena Garrett Russian Detective" and you will probably find links to sites where our company is mentioned or discussed.

Question: Can I just send her pictures and letters to you?

We are afraid not. What police needs is an official complaint from you stating that you have been scammed and explaining the circumstances of the case. This needs to be an official document, signed, dated, notarized, and addressed to the law enforcement agency in charge (in this case, MVD of Mari El Republic). It needs to be mailed from you directly to them.

Question: I do not have her emails or pictures anymore, so I guess I cannot help you?

Very likely, Russian police already has her pictures and even the letters. They mainly need you to send them a complaint that would explain the circumstances of the case and request a criminal investigation into the case.

Question: I do not remember how much I sent her, or when it was.  

Please contact us and we will look this information up for you.

Question: It has been several years... Can she still be prosecuted?

Yes. The case is currently under way, and police are expecting a good outcome.

Question: I have no interest in traveling to Russia. Do they still want me to send information?

If you are not intending to travel to Russia, when your written and notarized complaint will be sufficient for them to start the prosecution on your behalf.

Question: I would not mind making a trip to Russia, but will it be safe for me to go there?

Going to Russia to file your complaint with Russian police in person would be the most preferred way to file complaint (as far as Russian police is concerned). The police is so eager to get the victims to come to Mari El in person that they are considering to offer reimbursement of the travel expenses to those victims who do wish to come. As far as safety, there have not been a single case so far where the victim who came to Mari El republic to file a complaint was endangered in any shape or form. But if you want to discuss any additional measures of precaution with the police, we think that they would try to accommodate you the best they can.

Question: I already gave a statement about this case to police. Do I need to give a second statement?

Please contact us and let us know when and to what agency you gave your statement. We will get back to you on whether or not a second statement will be necessary for Russian police.

Question: What does "notarized" means? How do I notarize my complaint?

Notarized means that your complaint would need to be signed in front of a notary. Please check "Notary" in your local phone book and ask them for the specific requirements and costs. Each state has its own requirements.

Question: How much will it cost me to file this complaint?

You will have 2 expenditures: the cost of notarization and the cost of mailing your complaint.

Question: Will there be any other costs involved?

Not to our knowledge (unless you decide to travel to Russia).

Question: Do I need to pay your company anything?

No. The letter to you was sent as a courtesy to the police investigators working on the case, and we are even not charging anything for the phone and email consultations (see feel free to contact us with any questions). Our reward is in helping to send the scammers to jail.

Question: Is there any chance that I will be able to recover the money I sent to the scammer?

It will probably depend on the case outcome, but yes, we believe there could be a good possibility.

Question: I only sent that lady $200 or so dollars - I do not think it is worth the trouble to get involved.

The trouble should be more or less minimum to you (writing a complaint, taking it to the notary, and then mailing the complaint), yet the benefit to other victims of this criminal group could be enormous! Their cases against the scammers will become stronger, and the chances of successful conviction will go up. Taking these criminals "off the streets" so to speak could save future victims from losing money, too. So, we urge you to take the time to write and mail the complaint, to help to seal the case against the scammers.