Dimitri B. writes about online dating safety and modern scam tactics. With a background in international communication and psychology, he focuses on practical ways people can protect themselves in digital relationships. Originally from Ukraine, he now lives in Canada.
Nobody ever plans to live under occupation. And when people try to get out, it’s not just about distance or money — it’s about trust. Sadly, where there’s fear and confusion, there are always scammers ready to cash in.
Since the full-scale invasion began, women from occupied regions — Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Crimea — have looked for ways to reach safe Ukrainian land. Some have succeeded. Others got stuck. Too many, though, were tricked by “helpers” who promised escape for a price.
This piece explains what leaving really costs, how the trip usually works, and what kinds of lies are spreading online in 2025.
What’s Really Happening
By late 2025, the official crossings between occupied and free Ukraine are still shut. To move, people have to make a strange loop: go through Russia, then to Latvia, Estonia, or Lithuania, and only then cross into Poland or Slovakia before returning home. It’s long, dangerous, and ridiculously expensive — exactly the kind of chaos that scammers love.
That’s the baseline. It’s not cheap, but it’s far from the wild numbers scammers throw around. When someone says they need $2,000 or more just to get to a border, that’s already a red flag.
Stage of Journey
Typical Cost
Notes
Leaving the occupied area
₴5,000–₴10,000 ($130–$260)
Local driver or van
Through Russia to the EU
₴8,000–₴12,000 ($210–$320)
Bus, lodging, food
Into Ukraine from the EU
₴5,000–₴8,000 ($130–$210)
Bus/train via Poland
Other expenses
₴5,000 ($130)
Food, docs, unexpected fees
Total: roughly ₴30,000 or $800 — give or take.
How Scammers Twist It
1. Fake Evacuation Services
They appear everywhere — Telegram channels, Facebook posts, even dating chats. They use fear: “I can take you out tomorrow, just send a deposit.” Victims pay, get silence, or worse — fake coordinates and forged documents.
Watch for:
no verified NGO connection
vague names, stock photos
urgent “act now” messages
payment only in crypto or gift cards
2. Middlemen With “Special Access”
Some pretend they can skip checkpoints for a big fee. That’s impossible. Ukrainian and EU borders don’t sell shortcuts.
If someone brags about “connections at the border” or “VIP convoys,” assume you’re the mark, not the customer.
This one hurts to read, but it’s common. Some scammers pose as women trapped in Mariupol or Luhansk, spinning emotional stories about needing “just $300 for the driver.” They message foreign men, show random photos, and beg for help.
It works because the story feels real. The numbers sound believable. And compassion is easy to manipulate.
Report any scam you encountered — even if you didn’t lose money. Your info can help others.
Final Thoughts
Leaving occupied territory is never easy, but falling for fake promises makes it worse. The real journey costs about ₴30,000 ($800) and takes around a week. Anyone demanding more is likely lying.
And not every “cry for help” online is genuine. Some are carefully built traps, written by people who know how to push emotional buttons.
If you stay alert, question every claim, and verify before you act, you’ll protect not just your money — but your peace of mind.
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