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

[Wintertime 0]

That may be it, or it may be a misinformation that he'd have the right to pick up and move to the USA. A get out of jail free card per se

So are you saying that when they get married he won't be able to move to US right away?

Also, does anyone know if they get married will he instantly have the rights to her financial assets?

Sorry, I am asking so many questions. This whole issue is new to me. I have known my friend for almost my entire life. She is like a sister to me. I'm not trying to meddle, I really just care about her. And yes, I've seen her make other mistakes because she has a problem with impulsivity and putting blinders on. That's what bothers me most about her attitude she doesn't seem any potential problem here.

[Cathi 5,783]

Honestly, she is grown woman and none of this is any of your business. People fall in love all the time on vacation and there is nothing for you to report. You need to stay out of it, stop trying to control others and worry about your own life

So are you saying that when they get married he won't be able to move to US right away?

Also, does anyone know if they get married will he instantly have the rights to her financial assets?

Sorry, I am asking so many questions. This whole issue is new to me. I have known my friend for almost my entire life. She is like a sister to me. I'm not trying to meddle, I really just care about her. And yes, I've seen her make other mistakes because she has a problem with impulsivity and putting blinders on. That's what bothers me most about her attitude she doesn't seem any potential problem here.

actually you ARE trying to meddle

[Transborderwife 4,666]

So are you saying that when they get married he won't be able to move to US right away?

Also, does anyone know if they get married will he instantly have the rights to her financial assets?

Sorry, I am asking so many questions. This whole issue is new to me. I have known my friend for almost my entire life. She is like a sister to me. I'm not trying to meddle, I really just care about her. And yes, I've seen her make other mistakes because she has a problem with impulsivity and putting blinders on. That's what bothers me most about her attitude she doesn't seem any potential problem here.

Do yourself a favor, read the guides on here. It's about a $1500-2k process not including travel. In his region, it could take 2 years for him to get here, perhaps more or less but unlikely to be less than a year.

Financial assets depend on her state

[Georgia16 2,858]

So are you saying that when they get married he won't be able to move to US right away?

Also, does anyone know if they get married will he instantly have the rights to her financial assets?

Sorry, I am asking so many questions. This whole issue is new to me. I have known my friend for almost my entire life. She is like a sister to me. I'm not trying to meddle, I really just care about her. And yes, I've seen her make other mistakes because she has a problem with impulsivity and putting blinders on. That's what bothers me most about her attitude she doesn't seem any potential problem here.

Please read all the post made for you. It's already been explained that he can not come with her right away. It'll take 1-2 years before he can come to america.

[yuna628 9,702]

So are you saying that when they get married he won't be able to move to US right away?

Also, does anyone know if they get married will he instantly have the rights to her financial assets?

Sorry, I am asking so many questions. This whole issue is new to me. I have known my friend for almost my entire life. She is like a sister to me. I'm not trying to meddle, I really just care about her. And yes, I've seen her make other mistakes because she has a problem with impulsivity and putting blinders on. That's what bothers me most about her attitude she doesn't seem any potential problem here.

No he will not and cannot be able to enter the US right away.

She will have to return home and leave him behind, and apply for a spousal visa. This takes a very long time. If the evidence is weak the application won't be approved. If it makes it up to the interview process and the evidence continues to be weak it won't be approved. If it should be approved there is a high likelihood as was explained to you that he will be placed in AP - another process that can take up to many years.

In short: this relationship will be tested in more ways than one, if it survives the process to begin with.

[Ontarkie 14,432]

Okay, this seems to conflict with your other post. There you were saying that me reporting my suscpicions will do nothing. Here you seem to be saying that they might already have a weak case to begin with.

All I am saying is that a friend telling them information that this is all being kept secret etc. just might make there case that much weaker.

Let's say they do get their marriage turned down in Morocco...for whatever reason. What will his response be? If this is truly her soulmate he'll stick around. If he is in this for a greencard he'll move on quickly. Am I correct about that?

Not conflicting at all. There is nothing you can report. You don't have any proof he's playing her. They will not even entertain your accusations without proof. Jealous ex's try this all the time when they find out their other half met someone.

When they get to the visa interview, they require proof of that they are a real couple. It will be up to them to prove it some Countries are much harder then others.

As for if he's real will he stick around and fake leave nope not how it works. Fake or real he could still make it to the US after years it all depends how patient he is.

[heo luoi 206]

So are you saying that when they get married he won't be able to move to US right away?

Also, does anyone know if they get married will he instantly have the rights to her financial assets?

Sorry, I am asking so many questions. This whole issue is new to me. I have known my friend for almost my entire life. She is like a sister to me. I'm not trying to meddle, I really just care about her. And yes, I've seen her make other mistakes because she has a problem with impulsivity and putting blinders on. That's what bothers me most about her attitude she doesn't seem any potential problem here.

Check out the guides and forums here you'll find a lot of detail.

He can not come right away or ever simply due to marriage. Need to file / get approval.

Not sure about the hotel thing, thats local law enforcement. I know in VN they discourage it but its kinda enforced as much as the proprietor wants to enforce it.

Not sure all the legal aspect of financials but I think all these questions are things your friend should want answers for.

You have nothing you can 'report' as everythign you mentioned is purely circumstantial and speculative.

You're hung up on the whirlwind speed of it and then the long distance and viability, all perfectly reasonable from mainstream convention but unless more to go on....if your friends got blinders on, I think she just needs to be prepared and have the forthright to have the knowledge to protect herself.

I think her long distance relationship w/ her beau and her friendship with you are certainly going to be tested.

Edited February 17, 2016 by heo luoi

[Dohan 133]

Has he introduced her to his family? His friends? Is she willing to convert to his religion? Is he religious? Ask her things like that just to make her think. Ok he talks to her he makes her feel special, but what has he done for her? Regardless of his background a good man, a good husband will do things to take care of the woman. If he asking her for money, if he is hiding her from his family, she should know that this is not going to end well. So ask her these questions, don't tell her he is bad for her. She has to realize on her own.

[Caryh 5,206]

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?

Marriage fraud is taken very seriously. But you have zero evidence. You suspect fraud, and likely with good reason. The agents that will interview him might suspect the same thing. But it takes actual hard evidence of fraud to do anything. And until there is an actual immigration case, there is no one to report this too. And that means until she's already married and applied for a visa, there is no place to report it. And even if you do at the point there is an application, again you're down to zero evidence of fraud. Its just your word and your worries.

[Ortolan 381]

Does your friend meet the support requirements? That might stop it right there; if she has to have a co-sponsor in order to meet the requirements, then she'll have to either try to get you to help (which you won't) or tell her family, and it's likely that they won't help her either.

I know you're trying to be a good friend, and that you love this friend, but sometimes after strenuously voicing your concerns (which you've already done) you simply have to butt out. There's nothing you can do to "flag" this as a possible fraud case.

[Amhara 460]

Is it so they can stay in hotels together or something? Aren't there rules about unmarried men and women?

They probably can stay in a hotel together, but it's also possible they could get arrested. Some Google searches can help. Morocco seems to be a rather liberal place. She definitely doesn't need to marry him to visit him! My guy and I met in UAE. Some emirates are more strict than others. Some hotels require you bring the marriage license when you stay there. She should be able to find a decent hotel that won't impose that restriction on her. From what I have heard, Morocco used to be a very hot tourist country (but has probably seen volume decrease).

If she is going to marry him just to visit, that's a little crazy. The good news is that if they go for a family visa, he will need to show proof that he is single and that if he was married before, that his divorce is finalized. So if he tried to pull this before, your friend will need to be aware of that information.

You may find a discrete way to send her this link (http://morocco.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/fiance-visas.html) that includes a description of marriage fraud there if/when you two discuss the topic again.

[Kastrs 723]

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?

I apologize in advance if someone has already said this, I did not have time to read the entire thread. So as for the one meeting bit, I do not find that to be super strange unless there are other strange things. Different religion could be one of those things, so could her being older. Not that either of those are a showstopper for sure. What is strange is a declaration of love after such a short time. I understand meeting on vacation and then things and feelings develop after you leave....

One thing to ask your friend, and which in my mind is the absolute biggest red flag is has she met his family/talked to his family. If she does not meet with them prior to their wedding then I would be HIGHLY suspicious.

As to reporting the marriage as fraud, this is quite difficult to do and actually elicit a response especially if you do not have direct evidence to substantiate your concerns.

[Boiler 45,994]

Is she a Muslima.

Or is she intending to convert?

[EM_Vandaveer 2,417]

Muslim men can marry Christian or Jewish women according to Islam. It's Muslim women who can only marry Muslim men according to Islam (and thus according to some countries' local laws).

The way the US Government looks at possible marriage fraud is this: if the USC believes the relationship is genuine, it's assumed to be genuine.

Yes, there would be scrutiny due to it being Morocco. I see red flags, but at the same time, I got married to my husband about 2 months after meeting each other and 4 & half years and two kids later we are still going strong. I did tell my family, though...

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

What marriage papers could your other friend have seen?

All this is done after her arrival in Morocco and nothing can be done ahead here

Many, not only from Morocco, look for marriage to get out of their country

Some marriages fail, many are legit

Getting married in Morocco takes several steps / first going to US embassy and getting paper of elibilbity to marry/ then to Rabat to foreign minister office / after which many interviews with police and judge / the process takes about a month

I have been married to a Moroccan for 6 years; he is here and we are happy

But one of the things he will be asked at the interview is how soon did he say he loved her/ this is a a warning sign to embassy / fast engagements/ fast marriages are warning signs / they will look to see how much he knows about her and her family / he is likely to be denied for not knowing her well enough

She should also feel free to ask this man ahead of time to pass a medical exam as TB is prevalient there. He has to pass both medical and criminal investiation to marry but not bad to ask before spending the money of the trip.

I wouild go about talking to her by letting her know the costs of immigration from the fees to process to buying his health insurance here and know also she has to have at least 125 % above poverty level income to bring him here

We have many friends now married to Moroccan men and living here in the US. so, hopefully she will be happy if she goes through all this.

But honestly, sounds fishy to me too

Good luck to you but you will probably not be able to change her mind