I think I have been scammed. Please help!

[BintyMohammed 3]

Hello,

 

I will try to make this as brief and easy to understand as possible.  

 

I married my husband in Pakistan (his home country) in October 2018. 

He finally got approved for his visa and arrived here on June 19,2024. 

 

His cousin, who is American handled all of our documents, applications and fees. 

 

On Tuesday my husband took his things and left me. I do not know where he is exactly, he only says he is in Baltimore and will not be returning to me.  I am devastated.  

 

I have tried to call USCIS many times but I don't have our receipt number as his cousin refuses to give it to me and the call system will not connect me with anyone.  I want to report that he has left me with no intention to return and I will be filing for a divorce. 

 

Is anyone able to tell me how I can actually speak to someone? Please any help is appreciated.  

 

I apologize if I put this message in the wrong category.  Please go easy on me. 

 

Thanks in advance, 

 

Natalie 

Edited July 25 by BintyMohammed
Had to add information

[TBoneTX 44,391]

Thread is moved to the Effects of Major Family Changes forum.

1 hour ago, BintyMohammed said:

On Tuesday my husband took his things and left me. I do not know where he is exactly, he only says he is in Baltimore and will not be returning to me.  I am devastated. 

This hurts.  Whatever you're feeling is valid and natural.  Things WILL get better (time heals).

[milimelo 4,410]

VJ has the info below on each and every page: 

Important Disclaimer:..." VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423."

 

Unfortunately, even though you seem to be a victim of a very dishonest person, you'll still be tied to I-864 (for 10 years or until he naturalizes - earliest would be 5 years after entering on immigrant visa) even though your husband disappeared. You can try to get in touch with Islamabad embassy and USCIS but don't expect much.

 

Start getting your affairs in the order - divorce, take him off any medical, life, or car insurance if you had him listed as beneficiary. Same for bank accounts, retirement or 401k, savings... If you're renting, get his name removed as a tenant. If you co-signed anything for him, see how to get out of that financial obligation. 

[TBoneTX 44,391]

Whereas ICE might handle large scams involving groups or multiple individuals, the FDNS officer at your local USCIS office can deal with single cases.

 

Take copies of all information that you have.

Prepare a written statement, if possible, of what happened.  Be objective.

Turn in the papers to the FDNS officer.

 

Sadly, you'll never hear of an outcome.

[BintyMohammed 3]

6 minutes ago, milimelo said:

VJ has the info below on each and every page: 

Important Disclaimer:..." VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423."

 

Unfortunately, even though you seem to be a victim of a very dishonest person, you'll still be tied to I-864 (for 10 years or until he naturalizes - earliest would be 5 years after entering on immigrant visa) even though your husband disappeared. You can try to get in touch with Islamabad embassy and USCIS but don't expect much.

 

Start getting your affairs in the order - divorce, take him off any medical, life, or car insurance if you had him listed as beneficiary. Same for bank accounts, retirement or 401k, savings... If you're renting, get his name removed as a tenant. If you co-signed anything for him, see how to get out of that financial obligation. 

Thank you for your advice. I don't have him listed on anything of mine other than health insurance and I will have that adjusted once I receive the final divorce papers.  

[BintyMohammed 3]

18 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

Thread is moved to the Effects of Major Family Changes forum.

This hurts.  Whatever you're feeling is valid and natural.  Things WILL get better (time heals).

Thank you. This is a terrible feeling of betrayal.  I would not wish this on anyone.  

[BintyMohammed 3]

2 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

Whereas ICE might handle large scams involving groups or multiple individuals, the FDNS officer at your local USCIS office can deal with single cases.

 

Take copies of all information that you have.

Prepare a written statement, if possible, of what happened.  Be objective.

Turn in the papers to the FDNS officer.

 

Sadly, you'll never hear of an outcome.

I cannot get an appointment without the receipt number. The online agent at uscis told me to seek legal advice. I asked a lawyer and he only said to report it to ICE. 

[TBoneTX 44,391]

2 minutes ago, BintyMohammed said:

Thank you. This is a terrible feeling of betrayal.  I would not wish this on anyone.  

What you're feeling is natural, and you'll survive it.   

Others will be along to offer advice and support.

[KMG 69]

2 hours ago, BintyMohammed said:

Hello,

 

I will try to make this as brief and easy to understand as possible.  

 

I married my husband in Pakistan (his home country) in October 2018. 

He finally got approved for his visa and arrived here on June 19,2024. 

 

His cousin, who is American handled all of our documents, applications and fees. 

 

On Tuesday my husband took his things and left me. I do not know where he is exactly, he only says he is in Baltimore and will not be returning to me.  I am devastated.  

 

I have tried to call USCIS many times but I don't have our receipt number as his cousin refuses to give it to me and the call system will not connect me with anyone.  I want to report that he has left me with no intention to return and I will be filing for a divorce. 

 

Is anyone able to tell me how I can actually speak to someone? Please any help is appreciated.  

 

I apologize if I put this message in the wrong category.  Please go easy on me. 

 

Thanks in advance, 

 

Natalie 

File for divorce immediately! When you report this I would make mention of the cousin as well, being it seems he was involved.  I am so sorry this has happened to you.

[KMG 69]

6 minutes ago, KMG said:

File for divorce immediately! When you report this I would make mention of the cousin as well, being it seems he was involved.  I am so sorry this has happened to you.

Also, I am wondering if you can get all your missing information (USCIS number) through FOIA.  https://www.foia.gov/.  You have a right to that receipt number because the I130 has your personal information on it, (SSN, etc.).  Please do report the cousin.

[SalishSea 17,383]

5 hours ago, BintyMohammed said:

Hello,

 

I will try to make this as brief and easy to understand as possible.  

 

I married my husband in Pakistan (his home country) in October 2018. 

He finally got approved for his visa and arrived here on June 19,2024. 

 

His cousin, who is American handled all of our documents, applications and fees. 

 

On Tuesday my husband took his things and left me. I do not know where he is exactly, he only says he is in Baltimore and will not be returning to me.  I am devastated.  

 

I have tried to call USCIS many times but I don't have our receipt number as his cousin refuses to give it to me and the call system will not connect me with anyone.  I want to report that he has left me with no intention to return and I will be filing for a divorce. 

 

Is anyone able to tell me how I can actually speak to someone? Please any help is appreciated.  

 

I apologize if I put this message in the wrong category.  Please go easy on me. 

 

Thanks in advance, 

 

Natalie 

And yet you submitted documentation for the bonafides of the marriage?  Was this an arranged marriage/are you related?

 

Unfortunately, some people just suck, but USCIS cannot force someone to stay in a marriage they don't want.  

 

The biggest lesson here is to spend as much time as possible in each other's presence before committing to marriage/sponsoring an immigrant.  Time spent together is the only way to get to know someone's character.

 

I agree with the others, get a divorce lawyer and move on.  Even if your spouse's whereabouts are unknown, you can divorce.  Sorry this happened to you.

Edited July 26 by SalishSea

[SalishSea 17,383]

2 hours ago, KMG said:

File for divorce immediately! When you report this I would make mention of the cousin as well, being it seems he was involved.  I am so sorry this has happened to you.

Not sure what would be reportable here - they obviously consented to having the cousin prepare the documents, etc.   Maybe not a wise choice in retrospect, but not illegal.

[SalishSea 17,383]

3 hours ago, BintyMohammed said:

Thank you for your advice. I don't have him listed on anything of mine other than health insurance and I will have that adjusted once I receive the final divorce papers.  

You do not have to wait until you are divorced to remove him from an employer-based insurance plan.  I'd do it asap.

[Boiler 44,700]

What do you want to report?

 

He is responsible for notifying his change of address.

[Beeptweet 1]

It hurts, sorry to hear this. I will pray for you.