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

[andy78 178]

The best thing (and perhaps the only thing) you can do is have a conversation with her and express your concerns, and may be give her the link provided earlier about Morocco. She will then make her own choice. It would be a good idea for her not to get pregnant on her next trip to Morocco (or perhaps ever). But sooner or later, she may contact you for support when everything comes crashing down. A person's choices in life reflect that person's character, so as far as I am concerned, her ex-boyfriend is the only one who wins from this situation, so far.

[abhi_meli 150]

The Consular Officers are competent to sniff out fraud.Stop worrying about other person's life.If you are so much worried about your "friend",grab a flight,fly to morocco and hire a detective agency and gather evidences against this guy and then report to the Immigration "with" evidence.Otherwise leave them alone.

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

My advice is to talk to your friend, not to the USCIS or us or anyone else. Like people have mentioned you really don't have proof that this person is intending to commit marriage fraud. You have your opinion and your intuition, both of which could be flawed and neither of which the USCIS really care about.

It's cool if you are legitimately looking out for your friend, but going behind her back and reporting her and trying to sabotage her relationship kind of sucks. Voice your concerns with her, and try to do so professionally without sounding accusatory or condescending.

I know you talk about marriage a lot in the OP and subsequent posts, but you haven't given much details on their actual plans for him to immigrate US. Has she mentioned that she plans to file a visa for him after they are married? Or are you just speculating that will be the case since he told you he was interested in America?

To share my experience, I knew within a week of meeting my fiance that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. We had only met one time when I sent in a I-129f petition. To many of my friends it seemed sketchy, and they were all very vocal about their opinions on the situation. I know there are different things to consider in a country with more prevalent immigration fraud and a different culture, but my point is that it is possible that the relationship is legitimate. Likely? Maybe not, but possible.

[Russ&Caro 1,549]

The more people that told me my ex was trouble, the more I wanted to prove them wrong. You asked if people get through being scammed.... Yes, we do, but having a friend there who had my back, no matter what, really helped. If things don't work out for her, don't do the whole "I told you so" and if things do work out for her, be happy for her. My husband and I used to Skype everyday, multiple times. We even Skyped with each others families. We really did get to know each other well. Have there been people who got fooled, even with modern day technology? You bet!

To share my experience, I knew within a week of meeting my fiance that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. We had only met one time when I sent in a I-129f petition. To many of my friends it seemed sketchy, and they were all very vocal about their opinions on the situation. I know there are different things to consider in a country with more prevalent immigration fraud and a different culture, but my point is that it is possible that the relationship is legitimate. Likely? Maybe not, but possible.

These are good responses. On the other side of spontaneity, I knew my current wife for 8 years and had visited her many, many times before we tied the knot. Now that we're married and she's here living with me, I've discovered that this marriage thing is really difficult. I think we're gonna succeed, but boy was I wrong about feeling I really knew her.

1 week or 8 years, it's a gamble either way.

Edited February 17, 2016 by Russ&Caro

[caliliving 606]

you said she is 29.. how old is he??? if he doesnt introduce her to his family and friends i would say that is a huge red flag!!! Other than that, their isnt much you can do... and honestly, he could be using her to get out of morocco but who could say he wants a better life for himself and maybe he will work hard here and they will have 2 kids in 3 years?

Or I could see this as a Devar and melanie situation from 90 day fiance.. which would worry me:/ but at the end of the day what are you going to report? if she as a USC wants to marry and bring a guy over here.. she can do the work, fill the petition and wait... wait.. waittt... (2 years prob for morocco it will take)... and if she wants to go thru all that, then she can and it is up for the consulate to decide.

[caliliving 606]

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?

Why would you report it?? That is ridiculous and unnecessary!! You sound like a jealous person. If she wants to marry the man and it makes her happy, let her!!! Man, USCIS must get people just calling them up everyday reporting ex'es and friends relationships with foreigners ect... no wonder it takes them forever to do our paperwork:/

Maybe she is secretive bc she knows no one is going to support it? Maybe she is scared on what her friends and family will think?

I only think it would be bizarre if she doesn't meet HIS family and HIS friends.. if they dont meet in his hometown that is a red flag

Honestly, it is not that uncommon to marry after meeting someone for 2 months!! That is how long my husband and I met and now its almost 3 years and it is still good!! When you know, you know.. and some people dont marry for 5 years and get divorced after within a year.. others marry after 2 weeks and are married 10+ years later!! You should not come on here to judge what YOU think is an appropriate relationship.... Also when you are dealing with immigration, yes, you have to mvoe the process on quicker than normal so you can be together and get work permits ect!! Unfortunately, you can not always have the wedding of your dreams or the vacation or even marry when you want.

My girlfriend married her husband after a week of marrying him.. they went to Vegas and they are still married today 4 years later with 1 child.

[myloveaa 0]

Given I live in this region, here's some information that you can pass on to your friend:

1. I don't want to be nationality biased, as I consider myself a global citizen and don't understand all these borders and things. Yet, I do agree that given circumstances, environment people in regions/cultures etc do tend to have similair behaviours generally speaking.

2. I know of at least 6 women all with "white" passports - UK/US/Australia and perhaps one was EU who travelled to Tunisia to have a Tunisian fall madly in "love" with her - usually in 2-3 days....the story then is typically as you have written. Some of them did marry their "love". I did not follow what happened to these people I know. (Please excuse use of "white" - I just don't want to give wrong nationality and have forgotten some details)

3. The one case I am aware of a white friend with Tunisian husband (for at least 7-9 years), taker her white female friend to Tunisia on holiday. Her husband's friend was agreed in advance for an introduction. On day 1 he fell in love with her and in a month or two they were married in Tunisia! The woman is 40+, the guy about 21-22. As soon as he returned with her to her country of work he called all male names on her phone and told them to not disturb his wife. I know a year later they were still married..

There's no real lesson here - but yes the story about the Tunisian man "truly and completely" falling for the woman is the same every single time. However in point 3 you will not that the couple were married for long - so maybe some marriages do survive inspite of initial intent!

[caliliving 606]

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/morocco-marriage-scam-and-i-lost-her-t8320.15.html

If a Moroccan Muslims gets married with a non-Muslim without asking him to convert it is clearly that she wants him for papers only ..!!
Because simply a marriage with a non-Muslim for us is NOT ACCEPTED .. Which means she would marry u legally and then once she gets there she would leave u without asking for Divorce coz as I mentioned before for her the Marriage is not accepted in terms of Religion.. She might get married with other also ( no need divorce)
Be careful guys ..! Moroccan girls are bad .. No no this is not the case.. Anyone can do that..

I found that in the article:/ Some good advice...

ALso, I bet the moroccan guy knows more about immigration than your friend...

[Cathi 5,784]

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.

ummmmmmmmm there is no need for anyone to convert religions, that question is just stupid. Muslim men can marry Christians and Jews

Edited February 18, 2016 by mimolicious

[Boiler 46,125]

ummmmmmmmm there is no need for anyone to convert religions, that question is just stupid. Muslim men can marry Christians and Jews

I may have missed it, do we know her religion, if any?

[KierenHby 899]

Well once the friend is off her pink glasses and sobered up at some point, she might need to be set up on a crash course in US immigration. The time apart, reams of evidence, $$$s, etc.

[gradtaai 8]

The guy may just be a hustler, with a whole line of foreign girl friends. Not truly wanting to get married or move to another country. The real clue is when they need money for their sick mother.

[tomyka81 95]

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?

Keeping a marriage a secret under these circumstances is very normal. I have kept mine a secret at work for a very long time and only told the security person. I still haven't even posted on facebook that I am engaged. Seldom do I write that I am even seeing someone serious. I keep it a secret because I don't want to be with egg on my face if the visa isn't approved.

My second husband and I got married after less than 6 months and we were together for four years. I know people who have gotten married after a whirlwind and are still married after 24 years.

When I meet a person, I am usually starting to sum them up right there whether they are marriage material.

I know that you mean well and most of us have either had a friend or relative just like you to not trust our relationship or thinking skills BUT you are over reaching a bit.

[JR loves JR 196]

You aren't going to talk her into ending the relationship. But what if instead you talked immigration with her. I'd probably convince her to go the k-1 route. It would mean (in theory) less time for them to be apart, more time for their relationship to develop, and for those with concerns, it is less messy if it goes sour. The more you're willing to listen and offer encouraging advice, the more honest she'll be with you. Sometimes I need to feel safe with someone in order to speak aloud the thoughts that I refused to allow myself to think alone. Basically I mean that there are a lot of stupid things I've avoided doing because someone sat beside me without judging and listened to me think out loud. Normally when we stop having to defend our actions, we start evaluating them more honestly. She needs a friend who knows her scary secret (because going through can be very scary) but who isn't going to judge her. Besides, she's probably asking herself some of the same things you want to ask her. Whatever happens, be nice to her and respect her. That will save your friendship, no matter what happens in love.

Edited February 18, 2016 by JR loves JR

[IguanaCouple 26]

1) Will his family be present at the wedding? Are they cool with it? If not, it's most likely fraud. Middle Easterners and by implication Moroccans have very strong family ties which includes a religious (Islamic) commitment to family and society. Would she be ready to convert to Islam? Unless his family is very well-off and/or liberal, chances are they would not be okay with the marriage unless she agrees to convert.

2) The fact that he proposed in a week in itself does NOT signal he's playing her. He may want to have a life in the U.S. (hell most of my Western European friends would rather live and work here if they could) and at the same time he may fancy American girls (many of them do). For all you know they may just end up happily married for however long it may be.

3) Your friend will need to sponsor him financially and be making certain amount of money. You should inform your friend that she IS FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR HIM FOR 10 YEARS. If he claims any means-tested benefits during the 10 years (It's actually 40 quarters of having an income) she will liable to reimburse the feds for all monies he has claimed.

One last thing, if they are getting married in Morocco, they will be filing a CR-1 which means the guy gets his Green card immediately upon arrival. If the marriage is already 2 years old he will straight away get an unconditional green card which means he can literally walk away from her within days of landing here. Your friend should know all this.

I would recommend printing out all the important points that people have made in this thread and mailing it to your friend anonymously if need be.