Consulate requiring guarantee money?

[tallcoolone 102]

Some of you are way out of line. A scammer wouldn't have given as much personal information as I have on her including bank account information especially for only $5,000. A scammer wants to get in and out as quick as possible, take as much money as possible, and leave no trace of who they are. Large scams in excess of $100,000 might have fake IDs, housing, and bank accounts involved, but all of that costs money to setup. Someone like that would loose money trying to scam $5,000 if they did all that prep work.

This is definitly a case of mis-understanding by the consulate and my fiancee. That is exactly why I first posted here and double checked my other sources to find out why the consulate would have told her that. The consulate was right on what they requested if you were getting a different visa, but for a K1/K3 it isn't neccisary. It is possible that she went to the consulate without an appointment and ended up talking to someone who's whole purpose was to deter people from filing a visa. This would be a simple way to do it.

Other

Hopefully it's just a mis understanding

But I sure would be careful and look at all angles

People here are giving you their opinions, and I think they are all very good answers to your question

[Old Dominion 26]

So I just got a message from my fiancee and she visited the consultate in Turkey. They told her she needed $5000 in her bank account as a guarantee to get the visa otherwise they won't give one. I don't understand this especially since she is coming here to live off of what I make not off what she has in the bank. Has anyone run into this before?

Other

This was a misunderstanding, but what was the purpose of her visit anyway? Usually foreign nationals are not permitted anywhere near a consulate without an appointment of some kind. Locally hired security personnel stop them unless they have paperwork allowing them inside.

[rmncm 0]

Some of you are way out of line. A scammer wouldn't have given as much personal information as I have on her including bank account information especially for only $5,000. A scammer wants to get in and out as quick as possible, take as much money as possible, and leave no trace of who they are. Large scams in excess of $100,000 might have fake IDs, housing, and bank accounts involved, but all of that costs money to setup. Someone like that would loose money trying to scam $5,000 if they did all that prep work.

This is definitly a case of mis-understanding by the consulate and my fiancee. That is exactly why I first posted here and double checked my other sources to find out why the consulate would have told her that. The consulate was right on what they requested if you were getting a different visa, but for a K1/K3 it isn't neccisary. It is possible that she went to the consulate without an appointment and ended up talking to someone who's whole purpose was to deter people from filing a visa. This would be a simple way to do it.

Other

Well think about it for a second, really what personal information do you have on her that really matters..hmm lets see do you have her ssn? I think not being she is in Turkey, hmm lets see whats next...address,birthday,telephone number email address... god real personal information that is really damaging to have out there...NOT. Bank account...like you can do anything about that being in the US...My point is if she was to scam you there isn't anything you could possibly do about it short of traveling there and smack her around. News flash for you, US laws have no bearing in other coutries so it's not like you could sue her or anything. Scams are a dime a dozen and its not uncommon for someone to 'fall in love' just to make a buck. As for getting in and out quike....who knows she could being doing you and 5 others at the same time. Think about it man, she is in another country and 5000 USD there might be enough to live on for 5 years. I could go on and on, do your self a favor and reallyquestion her over this.

[sj5 4]

K1 visa- no money required except visa fees. Investigate the consul.

Edited April 25, 2009 by sj5

[pushbrk 12,908]

Some of you are way out of line. A scammer wouldn't have given as much personal information as I have on her including bank account information especially for only $5,000. A scammer wants to get in and out as quick as possible, take as much money as possible, and leave no trace of who they are. Large scams in excess of $100,000 might have fake IDs, housing, and bank accounts involved, but all of that costs money to setup. Someone like that would loose money trying to scam $5,000 if they did all that prep work.

This is definitly a case of mis-understanding by the consulate and my fiancee. That is exactly why I first posted here and double checked my other sources to find out why the consulate would have told her that. The consulate was right on what they requested if you were getting a different visa, but for a K1/K3 it isn't neccisary. It is possible that she went to the consulate without an appointment and ended up talking to someone who's whole purpose was to deter people from filing a visa. This would be a simple way to do it.

Other

Well think about it for a second, really what personal information do you have on her that really matters..hmm lets see do you have her ssn? I think not being she is in Turkey, hmm lets see whats next...address,birthday,telephone number email address... god real personal information that is really damaging to have out there...NOT. Bank account...like you can do anything about that being in the US...My point is if she was to scam you there isn't anything you could possibly do about it short of traveling there and smack her around. News flash for you, US laws have no bearing in other coutries so it's not like you could sue her or anything. Scams are a dime a dozen and its not uncommon for someone to 'fall in love' just to make a buck. As for getting in and out quike....who knows she could being doing you and 5 others at the same time. Think about it man, she is in another country and 5000 USD there might be enough to live on for 5 years. I could go on and on, do your self a favor and reallyquestion her over this.

I don't think anybody suggested a "scam", just that one OTHER possibility besides the more likely misunderstanding is that the $5k is a "shake-down". I've seen a number of beneficiaries pull this kind of thing as an insurance policy or even as an exit strategy. The size of the shake-down request is usually tailored to fit what they think they can get. I doubt it's anything more than a misunderstanding but if I were the petitioner, I would be very curious about how such a misunderstanding occurred. I'd want to know who she talked to, why, what question was asked etc.

It doesn't take a criminal mastermind to attempt such a shake-down, just somebody naive enough to think they can get away with it.

[lovica_l 0]

Misunderstanding, you should call again

[blue123 0]

Some of you are way out of line. A scammer wouldn't have given as much personal information as I have on her including bank account information especially for only $5,000. A scammer wants to get in and out as quick as possible, take as much money as possible, and leave no trace of who they are. Large scams in excess of $100,000 might have fake IDs, housing, and bank accounts involved, but all of that costs money to setup. Someone like that would loose money trying to scam $5,000 if they did all that prep work.

This is definitly a case of mis-understanding by the consulate and my fiancee. That is exactly why I first posted here and double checked my other sources to find out why the consulate would have told her that. The consulate was right on what they requested if you were getting a different visa, but for a K1/K3 it isn't neccisary. It is possible that she went to the consulate without an appointment and ended up talking to someone who's whole purpose was to deter people from filing a visa. This would be a simple way to do it.

Other

Well think about it for a second, really what personal information do you have on her that really matters..hmm lets see do you have her ssn? I think not being she is in Turkey, hmm lets see whats next...address,birthday,telephone number email address... god real personal information that is really damaging to have out there...NOT. Bank account...like you can do anything about that being in the US...My point is if she was to scam you there isn't anything you could possibly do about it short of traveling there and smack her around. News flash for you, US laws have no bearing in other coutries so it's not like you could sue her or anything. Scams are a dime a dozen and its not uncommon for someone to 'fall in love' just to make a buck. As for getting in and out quike....who knows she could being doing you and 5 others at the same time. Think about it man, she is in another country and 5000 USD there might be enough to live on for 5 years. I could go on and on, do your self a favor and reallyquestion her over this.

Relationships need trust, I would contact the consulate and clear things up, find out exactly what happened before even considering that there is a scam involved.

[tallcoolone 102]

I personally think she's trying to Scam you

But that is my opinion......

[Badgerella 5]

It's none of my business, the part about scam, or not a scam, so I am not getting into that.

What you could, or actually SHOULD do, is contacting the Embassy yourself. As an USC, you have all the right to do so, and you are likely to get a faster response to your question than a non-USC would.

My fiance and I had countless questions, ideas, thoughts and fears during our dealings with the USEM here in Zagreb, and every time we wanted to know something, or just make sure we were on the right page with the process, we'd call them on the phone or email them. Zagreb Embassy is small and not at all busy when it comes to K visas, so it's really easy to get the staff to help you on the phone. Emails would usually take a day or so to be replied to, but after we were done with the interview and had my visa in hand, that part became faster, too. For the most part, it was more than enough to just say my name and they knew what or who it was all about. My fiance, as an USC, had no problems at all getting all the questions answered. The Embassy was in fact pleased to help him/us with anything we need them.

So contact them and find out what exactly happened there.

[blue123 0]

I personally think she's trying to Scam you

But that is my opinion......

It could well be, but from the OP point of view to consider a scam before checking things out and then finding it was a mistake by consulate isn't a great way to start a lifetime relationship.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Again - My Turkish buddy's wife, prior to her coming her as a student(she is also from Turkey), she was required to have 10K US in her turkish bank account before the Ankara embassy would grant her the student visa.

He told me that this is common for young people trying to get these types of visas.

This very well may be a misunderstanding.

[pushbrk 12,908]

Again - My Turkish buddy's wife, prior to her coming her as a student(she is also from Turkey), she was required to have 10K US in her turkish bank account before the Ankara embassy would grant her the student visa.

He told me that this is common for young people trying to get these types of visas.

This very well may be a misunderstanding.

Student visas do generally require proof of funds. The amount varies based on the individual institution to be attended. For our local Community College it's more like $16,000. I suspect either the wrong question was asked or the right question was misunderstood.