Way to Russia Talk Lounge

ernpend · Just Starting Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 3

I just returned from my second trip to Volgograd yesterday. As with the first trip, I used russia-visa.com for the visa. They issued my invitation and everything. My tourist voucher indicated I was staying at the Hotel Volgograd but I actually stayed with friends. My friends registered my visa with the local immigration office and everything was fine on my first trip. However, when I arrived in SVO 1 in Moscow, two days ago, on my way to my connecting flight at SVO 2, I was stopped by a police office who checked my documents. The officer, through a luggage inspector who translated for us, said my documents were wrong because the Hotel Volgograd had not registered my visa and that I needed to go with him to the police station. I had broken Russian law and I may be barred from the country for 5 years. After a lot of talking and even some translating by my friends in Volgograd on the phone, I was told there was a way to resolve the problem "without protocol". When I asked about this, the officer said yes and lead our impromptu translator and I to an isolated part of the building with no one else around. Then he took out a notepad, wrote "$400" on it and said if I would pay that, there would be no problem. After some hassle with the bankomat, I returned with $180, all the money I had. The officer looked disappointed so I fished through my bags and took out my camera, thinking this was a bribe situation. He immediately waved that off, backed away, and said in clear English, "No, no, no". He handed back my documents and said to be careful next time, that I should be getting a family visa instead of tourist.

So, I think he had a point, my documents were probably technically wrong. But did I actually break the law? I'm also pretty sure I bribed the cop to look the other way, but I don't know exactly what went on with that whole $400 request. Does anyone have any thoughts about this situation or how I might have handled it differently? I guess next time I need to either stay in a hotel or make sure my tourist voucher has the right info on where I'll be staying on it?????

krasatulya · VIP Joined: 29 May 2005 Posts: 590

He was most definitely trying to "shake you down", although I don't believe he would be looking for American dollars. If he was caught with those he could find himself in some hot water.

I had this problem not once but twice in the airport in Krasnodar. I'm married to a Russian, so I was lucky to have him there to handle the situation, but each time we paid $35 for the "cop" to look the other way. My issue was that I didn't register at all, but even if I had, I'm sure he would have found something else. His eyes seemed to light up when he saw I had a foreign passport.

Don't know how to avoid these situations. It seems they'll find something to bribe you for, regardless.

darthvader · WayToRussified Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Posts: 423

Sounds like a nightmare, ernpend. This is exactly what a fun-loving tourist does not want to be bothered with when visiting a foreign country. Especially if s/he speaks and understands extremely little Russian language.

Of course, one would hope that Russian friends would be around if such an incident occurs (to smooth things over). Otherwise, it could be anything from slap on the wrist to Chita time! Or.....who really knows? I know I don't. Smile

Nothing seems standardised.

nikir · Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 1:04 pm Post subject:

This happens, particularly around the transport hubs and tourist destinations in Moscow. I encountered it last year at the Yaroslavl station.

The thing that you need to remember (as long as you are sure that your documents are in order) is that these guys will never take you to the police station. They will have picked you as an easy target so don't make it easier for them by panicking. Use whatever comes into your head and stand your ground.

At the end of the day, remember that they will settle for a fraction of the outrageous amount that they have demanded from you and that may just be the fastest way to get rid of them and be on your way.

MrSpice · Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3431

I think one should have 50-60 bucks just in case they encounter this situation. I bet that if the author of this thread gave the guy $50 instead of $400 and said that he does not have any more money, they'd take it. They know the guy is threatened, so they try to ask for as much money as possible.

ernpend · Just Starting Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 3

After doing some more research and asking around, I'm in agreement with nikir and MrSpice. If I had had some cold cash on hand and had enough wits about me to argue, it would not've been so bad. I was honestly so freaked about the possibility of spending a night in a Russian "holding cell" that I was willing to do anything and I'm sure that was obvious. Now that I feel better about the validity of my documents, I think I would feel more confident in calling his bluff and suggesting that we contact the US Embassy on the way to the police station. At that point, I'm sure $50 would've sounded more appealing to him than $400. I also should've asked his name and asked to see his ID. Recording all this on the cell phone would've been a good idea as well.

nikir · Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 3:22 am Post subject:

I think that $50 is far too much to hand over to these clowns for nothing. Ideally you give them nothing, but if you don't have enough of the language to rebuff them that could be difficult.

Have a couple of 50 or 100 ruble notes in your pocket and insist that this is all you have. Never pull out your wallet.

They'll take it, split it and move on to their next victim.