Family of B2 applicant attempting extortion

[Russ61 0]

Just a quick question for the experienced or knowledgable regulars here. The sister of my girlfriend and her husband are threatening to contact the embassy with some assorted fabrications in an attempt to hijack her B2 application. Because I am American, they assume I must be rich so they are demanding monies from my girl, who has none to give.

I have contemplating contacting the embassy directly to warn them of any possible interference but is this something I should simply dismiss...to trust my embassy to examine her application on its own merits? I can't believe they would accept any undocumented letter as "factual" but I don't want the effort to even have a 10-second shelf life without at least attempting to contact my embassy beforehand.

Has anyone ever heard of families doing this in the Philippines? I can't fathom how someone could do such a thing, though I suppose I'm being naive.

Thanks for any input.

Edited July 2, 2008 by Russ61

[Ban Hammer 13,552]

i think this would be better answered in another forum, so i'm going to move it there so you can get some good advice by the mermaid.

[Russ61 0]

Thanks Charles!

[morocco4ever 63]

I don't want to sound harsh, but how well do you know your girl? I have heard of these scams in the past, but the fiance is in on it. Hopefully this isn't your situation, but I don't think I would contact the consulate. I am sure they have heard of these scams as well, and this might cause you problems at the interview. I guess if it was me I would call their bluff. I really don't think they will follow through, and since it is her family it really is her responsibility to straighten them out.

[desert_fox 32]

her sister??? Nice family!!

It would be most dificult for her to get a B2 in the first place if its to visit her boyfriend, and if she is young, and cant meet all the visa requirements.

Tell her to tll the sister to take a flying leap.

[Passing.star 0]

i THINK ITS BETTER if you have to talk to your Gf first and confirm if this situation is really true. I am doubtful but I can't judge anyone because i do not know what's really true.

[Dakine 26]

Very few people in the Philippines have enuf money or assets to qualify for a B2.

Somethings not right if your GF has enuf to qualify and has a sister doing what you said.

Red FLAG is flying high!!

[Nutty 2]

So your girl friend has a B2 visa here in USA? Which US company sponsored her to get the visa?

Just seems strange to me.

Personally, I can not see how your girlfriends can wreck havoc on B2 visa. Even if she is in a relationship with you.

I say, something is very strange here.

Be careful!!!

[Russ61 0]

Thanks for the responses....a brief history. I know the girl VERY well. She runs a high-end boutique in the metro-Manila area and also has ownership in two other small business'. I paid significant money many moons ago and EVERYTHING checked out. Her sister and her sister's husband have a history of "trouble with the law" so I'll just leave it at that. My girl has an established residence in the area, a six-year-old son enrolled in school and a decent amount of money in the bank. These two extortionists have been....what is the word....cast from the family (which is rare on the islands) so remove any thoughts in your mind about this being a family scam, there is too much criminal history with those two to support her legit worries. In addition, I've got friends in the area who have verified ALL of my questions. This is a valid concern on my part but I'm wondering if I will only cause more harm to get directly involved or shall I put my confidence in the embassy that they will see any effort as silliness and simply weigh the B2 application on its own merits.

Red flags have all been attended to at this point folks and she really is the real deal...an accomplished woman (25) with a degree and a strong head on her shoulders but she really is worried that despite all she has done, it might not be enough to get the Visa and worse, not at all if they receive such correspondence and simply write her off with a "why even bother with an interview?" scenario.

Edited July 3, 2008 by Russ61

[Dakine 26]

Just a quick question for the experienced or knowledgable regulars here. The sister of my girlfriend and her husband are threatening to contact the embassy with some assorted fabrications in an attempt to hijack her B2 application. Because I am American, they assume I must be rich so they are demanding monies from my girl, who has none to give.

I have contemplating contacting the embassy directly to warn them of any possible interference but is this something I should simply dismiss...to trust my embassy to examine her application on its own merits? I can't believe they would accept any undocumented letter as "factual" but I don't want the effort to even have a 10-second shelf life without at least attempting to contact my embassy beforehand.

Has anyone ever heard of families doing this in the Philippines? I can't fathom how someone could do such a thing, though I suppose I'm being naive.

Thanks for any input.

Yo Russ!

What happened to Jan 2008 pinay with the 2 year old? Keep on trolling!!!

I'm only going to be there about three weeks. We've discussed it ad naseum...the possibility of her not getting a B2. We originally wanted her to come here for visit BEFORE we marry but it appears with all that I've read, getting a B2 might be terribly difficult for someone who owns no property or is not a business owner...even if her visit is only for three weeks and does not include marriage plans. That is why we felt marriage in Philippines was probably going to be the most logical route, followed by K3 process. However, I don't want to cut it so close that our civil ceremony literally is on the tarmac while my plane is taxing on the runway en route back to Manila and the states. I could of chosen to pursue a Filipina with a college degree or business owner with more ties to her country than one could shake a stick at but I fell in love with a girl who supports her entire family (father is deceased) by working at a fish market and truth be told, I wouldn't change one thing. I can hear this woman's footsteps from the other side of the world, that's how much I love my girl. It's going to make it more difficult for us to be together based on the sparsity of her ownings but given enough time, even the most stubborn mulberry leaf turns to silk.

[pushbrk 13,117]

Thanks for the responses....a brief history. I know the girl VERY well. She runs a high-end boutique in the metro-Manila area and also has ownership in two other small business'. I paid significant money many moons ago and EVERYTHING checked out. Her sister and her sister's husband have a history of "trouble with the law" so I'll just leave it at that. My girl has an established residence in the area, a six-year-old son enrolled in school and a decent amount of money in the bank. These two extortionists have been....what is the word....cast from the family (which is rare on the islands) so remove any thoughts in your mind about this being a family scam, there is too much criminal history with those two to support her legit worries. In addition, I've got friends in the area who have verified ALL of my questions. This is a valid concern on my part but I'm wondering if I will only cause more harm to get directly involved or shall I put my confidence in the embassy that they will see any effort as silliness and simply weigh the B2 application on its own merits.

Red flags have all been attended to at this point folks and she really is the real deal...an accomplished woman (25) with a degree and a strong head on her shoulders but she really is worried that despite all she has done, it might not be enough to get the Visa and worse, not at all if they receive such correspondence and simply write her off with a "why even bother with an interview?" scenario.

Even with all she's got going for her, I would put getting the B2 for a Filipina with a USC boyfriend at no better than 50/50 even without the threat of gumming up the works and even with leaving a six year old behind. It's a tough call but no, I wouldn't approach the visa unit about potential third party correspondence unless you were certain it occured and maybe not even then. I'd just have her address the situation during the interview, if it comes up.

[Donna A 4]

if the sister has been cast from the family, how does she know whats going on?

[Dakine 26]

if the sister has been cast from the family, how does she know whats going on?

Check out the OPs previous post!!

Looks like he's in a dream world.

Good author and writes well tho!

[cdneh 3,112]

if the sister has been cast from the family, how does she know whats going on?

Check out the OPs previous post!!

Looks like he's in a dream world.

Good author and writes well tho!

I guess it isn't just me trying to follow this story..

[Donna A 4]

if the sister has been cast from the family, how does she know whats going on?

Check out the OPs previous post!!

Looks like he's in a dream world.

Good author and writes well tho!

oh yeah the first post says she has no money and then later on she is owner of a high end botique and owner in two other small businesses....missed that...good catch.

Edited July 3, 2008 by Donna A