Reporting visa fraud

[jook 2]

I'm not sure if this belongs on the board, but here goes.

I was taken for a ride by a Colombian woman for about 5 years. We intended to marry, at least she led me to believe that, but it was always one problem or excuse after another. She actually filled out all the paperwork for a K1 visa and I have the originals along with copies of pertinent documents. If she was telling the truth, she also filed for a K1 visa before, but that's a long story. I visited her in Colombia 4 times if that makes a difference. I foolishly sent her money which probably totals several thousand dollars or so - I have Western Union receipts for most of the money I gave her.

To make a long story short, I recently found out that she never had any intention of marrying me but planned to marry another guy in Florida. I wouldn't pursue this matter it weren't for the depth of the lies and the cunning scheming. For example, she used her children to get money from me. Her sister and sister's husband also played a part in the deception. [The sister is a 20 year old who recently came to the US on a fiance visa to marry a guy 50+ - this was a year ago - I'm wondering if I can report them also.] I should probably still let it go, and I might, but at this point, I want to explore options.

I've got names, addresses and a copy of her passport. I have tons of photos of us together, letters and 5 years' of emails that I didn't discard. She is supposed to get married in January. Any thoughts? Thanks from a dummy.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423.

Did she ever marry you? If not, and she came on a K-1 visa, there is no path for her to stay here legally other than marrying you. You can't get your money back but you can report her fraud and let the gov do their thing.

[baron555 934]

I'm not sure if this belongs on the board, but here goes.

I was taken for a ride by a Colombian woman for about 5 years. We intended to marry, at least she led me to believe that, but it was always one problem or excuse after another. She actually filled out all the paperwork for a K1 visa and I have the originals along with copies of pertinent documents. If she was telling the truth, she also filed for a K1 visa before, but that's a long story. I visited her in Colombia 4 times if that makes a difference. I foolishly sent her money which probably totals several thousand dollars or so - I have Western Union receipts for most of the money I gave her.

To make a long story short, I recently found out that she never had any intention of marrying me but planned to marry another guy in Florida. I wouldn't pursue this matter it weren't for the depth of the lies and the cunning scheming. For example, she used her children to get money from me. Her sister and sister's husband also played a part in the deception. [The sister is a 20 year old who recently came to the US on a fiance visa to marry a guy 50+ - this was a year ago - I'm wondering if I can report them also.] I should probably still let it go, and I might, but at this point, I want to explore options.

I've got names, addresses and a copy of her passport. I have tons of photos of us together, letters and 5 years' of emails that I didn't discard. She is supposed to get married in January. Any thoughts? Thanks from a dummy.

What visa fraud did she commit? She jilted you and took your money, shame on you, but maybe she intends to marry and stay with the FL guy!

There is nothing to report. You could tell your tale to USCIS but she didn't break any laws and only time will tell if she is trying to use this guy for immigration fraud;;;;;worst case she could sue you for slander if you are not correct.

I'd say cut your loses, forget about her and live your life and be more careful next time. Don't ever again violate any of the few cardinal rules about international dating.

Edited December 29, 2011 by baron555

[Oksana & Max 94]

So did she actually came here on K-1 Visa and you been a petitioner??? If yes, she can't adjust a status anyway. The K-1 visa is specifically to marry the petitioner.

I would recommend to contact USCIS and notify them since you filed for the financial support (I-134) and you don't want it to go against you. A better idea might be to make an INFOPASS appointment and speak to the officer.

[dindo and patty 20]

I am really sorry this happened to you. At this point, from the information you've divulged, you have not petitioned her through K-1. As such,

there really isn't much you can do in regards to visa fraud. You mentioned that she is to get married in January to another guy in Florida. May

be you can alert that other person in Florida about the real intentions of this woman. I don't mean to be blunt, but, this really seems to be a case

of you and possibly another person getting scammed by this woman. Move on with your life and forget about her....IMHO

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Did you petition her for a K-1? Is that how she got to the US? There seems to be some confusion on the matter.

[Enigma11561 336]

You got scammed and screwed. You learned your lesson. Unless you know the phone number of the guy she is planning to marry in Florida and wanted to have a man to man talk, there is nothing you can do except to notify ICE, IF she actually arrived here.If the K1 is in your name she can only marry you and no one else. If she marries that guy in Florida that is visa fraud. Did she ever complete the paperwork and get a visa?

[jook 2]

I agree, fraud was probably the wrong terminology. She duped me. I never followed through with the petition because I didn't get all the info I needed from her. The other guy filed the visa.

My thought was that the USCIS might take an interest in this and deny the visa based on her character. Or do they not concern themselves with such things?

As for the guy in Florida, he may be in on it, I don't know. I am in the process of getting all his information.

[NoneYa 73]

You did get something in return. It is called experience.

You got off very, very cheap but now you are educated. Consider it an even trade. You were too trusting and now you are not trusting anymore. I don't think you have a case or a valid complaint. Let it go but be wiser. One guy I spoke with sent $ 20,000 to a woman (so he told me) and is still sending her money and I think she is a scammer. Just be smart in the future. There are a lot of corrupt people in this world and you shouldn't trust anybody. That's how you'll find a good woman like I did.

Read about how the scammers work and educate yourself: www.dragonladies.org

[souleymon 27]

Did you petition her for a K-1? Is that how she got to the US? There seems to be some confusion on the matter.

Is she in the states already

[Enigma11561 336]

Think about how the "other" guy is going to do with this woman. If he "is not" on this with her, he will be more sorry than you. Pity him.

Edited December 29, 2011 by Enigma11561

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Sounds to me like she took several guys for a ride, and only one, the guy in Florida, got the paperwork filed and approved. OP "invested" a lot of money in the woman and her family, but came up short. Now he wants his money back from her.

Were these loans, or gifts? If they were gifts, forget about it. If were loans, you could have a case, but I don't know if it would be worth pursuing.

If he dropped a dime on her to the UCSIS out of spite, would that mess up her chances of getting a greencard, or becoming a USC? I don't know either. It might, or it might not.

Edited December 29, 2011 by ☼

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I agree, fraud was probably the wrong terminology. She duped me. I never followed through with the petition because I didn't get all the info I needed from her. The other guy filed the visa.

My thought was that the USCIS might take an interest in this and deny the visa based on her character. Or do they not concern themselves with such things?

As for the guy in Florida, he may be in on it, I don't know. I am in the process of getting all his information.

If she never lied to the US government then there's been no fraud. Sucks, though. This happens to a lot of guys, and it's usually about milking them for some cash.

If you find out that the guy in Florida doesn't know about this then you should tell him. If he knows what kind of woman he's hooking up with then I'd be surprised if he decided to go through with it.

[Pinoylover 6]

I'd a least warn the other guy! No reason why he should get taken if you know she that way because if he get her here and does the affidavit of support and she leaves him in a few months after marriage he will be screwed in having to support her for the next 10 years! Just my 2 cents worth!

[jook 2]

I guess I'll make a call to USCIS, it can't hurt, then drop the matter and as someone suggested, chalk it up to experience. And stay away from Colombia! I'll also warn the guy in FL if he isn't in on it but I have a sneaky suspicion he is. And yes, she is in the US.

I told her I wanted $1000 back immediately as a partial repayment of the money I gave her - I paid for her friggin' trip to the US unknowingly! She seemed scared and said she'd come up with the $$, but then again, she's an oscar deserving actress. Mind you, it's not blackmail, I didn't threaten her with anything if she didn't pay.