I think my friend is falling victim to marriage fraud. Advice?

[Boiler 46,125]

Tell her it is a long and complicated process and as they want to be together she should make plans to move? See how fast he runs.

Edited February 17, 2016 by Boiler

[Georgia16 2,858]

Isn't it a red flag that this guy is trying to marry her after two months? What else do you need to know? There is obviously something way off with people getting married that soon.

If the country is difficult to get approved with little evidence than why do I even have to report this guy? If its so hard to approve wont they just look that theyve only met in person once as evidence that it isn't a real relationship.

It happens in here all the time

[Wintertime 0]

Okay, here is what I am thinking. I will report the marriage to whatever authorities I can find. I know it won't do anything according to you guys. But at least it might make someone slightly more suspicious and to look closer at this thing than they otherwise would.

I could tell other friends about her marriage plans - the secrecy is truly bizarre in my opinion. I mean, I get the feeling that some of you think this could be legitimate...but how is asking someone to marry them in under a week normal? How is the marriage being kept secret normal?

I have no idea how things work in foreign countries with different cultures, but in America those things are signs that something is way off.

I also don't understand why you guys saying me reporting this to the authorities will have no effect. I know in America at least the interview process can be pretty detailed...surely something in the folder from a friend that is suspicious will at least add extra scrutiny. Its my understanding that marriage fraud is taken very seriously...is that not the case?

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Okay, here is what I am thinking. I will report the marriage to whatever authorities I can find. I know it won't do anything according to you guys. But at least it might make someone slightly more suspicious and to look closer at this thing than they otherwise would.

I could tell other friends about her marriage plans - the secrecy is truly bizarre in my opinion. I mean, I get the feeling that some of you think this could be legitimate...but how is asking someone to marry them in under a week normal? How is the marriage being kept secret normal?

I have no idea how things work in foreign countries with different cultures, but in America those things are signs that something is way off.

I also don't understand why you guys saying me reporting this to the authorities will have no effect. I know in America at least the interview process can be pretty detailed...surely something in the folder from a friend that is suspicious will at least add extra scrutiny. Its my understanding that marriage fraud is taken very seriously...is that not the case?

It's taken seriously with LEGITIMATE PROOF. You have none at this point. It would likely be ignored. Happens all the time. I know you're concerned for your friend, but all that you can do is let this play out. Does she even know the length of the process? Costs? Edited February 17, 2016 by Transborderwife

[Wintertime 0]

It happens in here all the time

Are you saying its not a warning sign that something is off? Or just saying it is common.

In the US if someone proposed to someone after a week almost everyone would think that is insane. Why do the rules suddenly change when its a foreigner. If anything it makes it more suspect since many foreigners have the ulterior motive of getting residency.

I don't understand why they don't just make the rule that you have to know each other for a year before even starting the marriage process.

You can't know anyone well enough after a week to marry them. I don't get this.

Actually it's not a red flag. You only need to meet once and show proof. They may get asked for subsequent proof but there's no set time to know someone

Actually, it is a red flag.

http://morocco.usembassy.gov/service/professional-services/marriage-information.html

[Unlockable 7,315]

Tell her it is a long and complicated process and as they want to be together she should make plans to move? See how fast he runs.

I vaguely remember reading something like that on this forum.

A guy had a fiance in another country but had some reservations about her intentions. So he told her instead of them going through the long and tedious process of her migrating to the US, he was able to come up with a plan for HIM to move to HER country so they could be together sooner. She was gone with the wind in a matter of days.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Are you saying its not a warning sign that something is off? Or just saying it is common.

In the US if someone proposed to someone after a week almost everyone would think that is insane. Why do the rules suddenly change when its a foreigner. If anything it makes it more suspect since many foreigners have the ulterior motive of getting residency.

I don't understand why they don't just make the rule that you have to know each other for a year before even starting the marriage process.

You can't know anyone well enough after a week to marry them. I don't get this.

You're new to the process. Read some stories on here and you'll see that whirlwind romances do happen and get immigrant visas.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

Nothing much you can do about her relationship. She is a grown woman who has to be responsible for her own actions.

You can either:

1) Dump her as a friend, since she is not that bright.

2) Watch her crash and burn, and be there for her to help her when it happens

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Are you saying its not a warning sign that something is off? Or just saying it is common.

In the US if someone proposed to someone after a week almost everyone would think that is insane. Why do the rules suddenly change when its a foreigner. If anything it makes it more suspect since many foreigners have the ulterior motive of getting residency.

I don't understand why they don't just make the rule that you have to know each other for a year before even starting the marriage process.

You can't know anyone well enough after a week to marry them. I don't get this.

Actually, it is a red flag.

http://morocco.usembassy.gov/service/professional-services/marriage-information.html

Where does it say it's a red flag?

[Georgia16 2,858]

Okay, here is what I am thinking. I will report the marriage to whatever authorities I can find. I know it won't do anything according to you guys. But at least it might make someone slightly more suspicious and to look closer at this thing than they otherwise would.

I could tell other friends about her marriage plans - the secrecy is truly bizarre in my opinion. I mean, I get the feeling that some of you think this could be legitimate...but how is asking someone to marry them in under a week normal? How is the marriage being kept secret normal?

I have no idea how things work in foreign countries with different cultures, but in America those things are signs that something is way off.

I also don't understand why you guys saying me reporting this to the authorities will have no effect. I know in America at least the interview process can be pretty detailed...surely something in the folder from a friend that is suspicious will at least add extra scrutiny. Its my understanding that marriage fraud is taken very seriously...is that not the case?

There won't be a interview in America for this visa. It will be at the embassy in the country he is from.

I don't think anybody here don't understand that you are concerned about your friend. Just remember that everbody in here have gone through different visa process for years and have seen others in situations like your friend we are all just trying to help you understand how things are with stuff like this.

And Yes america does take married fraud very seriously but yo don't have any proof at all. Him asking about married within a week is not proof of anything, like I said before it happens all the time in here.

You should talk to your friend about the process and see if she even realize they can't be together right away even though the marry.

[Wintertime 0]

It's taken seriously with LEGITIMATE PROOF. You have none at this point. It would likely be ignored. Happens all the time. I know you're concerned for your friend, but all that you can do is let this play out. Does she even know the length of the process? Costs?

No, she doesn't appear to have put any realistic thought into this at all.

By the way, are you saying she won't even be able to get married anytime soon? She is visting the guy soon and planning on getting married...are you saying that's not even possible.

Thanks again, everyone for replies. This is very frustrating. I've been friends with this woman since we were 8.

I am also friends with her family and feel horrible about myself for not telling them about the marriage plans.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

No, she doesn't appear to have put any realistic thought into this at all.

By the way, are you saying she won't even be able to get married anytime soon? She is visting the guy soon and planning on getting married...are you saying that's not even possible.

Thanks again, everyone for replies. This is very frustrating. I've been friends with this woman since we were 8.

I am also friends with her family and feel horrible about myself for not telling them about the marriage plans.

No it's possible, I'm saying that he likely wouldn't be in the USA anytime soon.

I do understand your concern, but it does happen often unfortunately. Definitely look for 90 day fiancé episodes to watch with her. Danielle and Mohamed

Edited February 17, 2016 by Transborderwife

[Ontarkie 14,499]

Look with out proof you will look like someone who wants to cause problems. They will not act on it.

Some of these fraudster can keep up the act till they get citizenship. They will even have kids to make it all look real. Then dump the person and bring over their true love.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

Okay, here is what I am thinking. I will report the marriage to whatever authorities I can find. I know it won't do anything according to you guys. But at least it might make someone slightly more suspicious and to look closer at this thing than they otherwise would.

I could tell other friends about her marriage plans - the secrecy is truly bizarre in my opinion. I mean, I get the feeling that some of you think this could be legitimate...but how is asking someone to marry them in under a week normal? How is the marriage being kept secret normal?

I have no idea how things work in foreign countries with different cultures, but in America those things are signs that something is way off.

I also don't understand why you guys saying me reporting this to the authorities will have no effect. I know in America at least the interview process can be pretty detailed...surely something in the folder from a friend that is suspicious will at least add extra scrutiny. Its my understanding that marriage fraud is taken very seriously...is that not the case?

It's just not how immigration operates. Consider this: you're upset and jealous that the Moroccan man liked your friend more than you and now has proposed marriage. To get back at her you report fraud. I know this is not the case, but how does USCIS know that?? Why should they take your word for it? Anyone could report anything. You need evidence and right now you don't have any. You don't even know for sure IF this is fraud. His feelings COULD be genuine.

Your veering off the path of concerned friend, which will likely drive that wedge into your friendship as some else stated. She's responsible for telling her family. She is a grown 29 year old woman. The choice is hers.

Edited February 17, 2016 by LionessDeon

[Georgia16 2,858]

Are you saying its not a warning sign that something is off? Or just saying it is common.

In the US if someone proposed to someone after a week almost everyone would think that is insane. Why do the rules suddenly change when its a foreigner. If anything it makes it more suspect since many foreigners have the ulterior motive of getting residency.

I don't understand why they don't just make the rule that you have to know each other for a year before even starting the marriage process.

You can't know anyone well enough after a week to marry them. I don't get this.

Actually, it is a red flag.

http://morocco.usembassy.gov/service/professional-services/marriage-information.html

People in here have married someone they met once on a vacation and have been together for many years and live in a happy marriage then other have been together for years and then get married and live together and divorce shortly after. What I'm saying is you'll never know.

Americans in here have proposed to theirs in a very short time, so americans do it too.

I'm that to judge what is right or wrong for people to do.