How can I tell if I’m being scammed into a marriage?

Common signs of a marriage scam include being rushed into marriage, lack of genuine emotional connection, and a relationship that ends shortly after legal benefits are gained. Scammers often avoid living together and push for joint finances or legal commitments early on.

Why do scammers commit marriage fraud?

Scammers commit marriage fraud to gain residency or citizenship, financial support, or access to resources they wouldn’t otherwise have. For some, it’s a paid arrangement; for others, it’s a manipulation tactic masked as genuine romance.

What should I do if I’m a victim of a marriage scam?

If you suspect you’re a victim of marriage fraud, immediately cut contact with the scammer and collect all possible evidence. Report the incident to immigration authorities like USCIS, consult a legal professional, and ensure all your assets are legally protected under your name.

Are there legal consequences for sham marriages?

Yes, marriage fraud is a serious offense. U.S. law under 8 U.S.C. 1325(c) and 18 U.S.C. 1546 imposes penalties including fines, prison time, and deportation for foreign nationals. Both the scammer and any complicit individuals can face legal consequences.

Avoid a Marriage Scam by Marrying the Right One

Q: What is a sham marriage?

A sham marriage is a fake union between two people where at least one party is motivated by financial gain or immigration benefits, rather than genuine love. This kind of marriage is often used to obtain U.S. citizenship or a green card through fraudulent means.

A man facepalming himself for being a victim of a marriage scam

Caption: A sham marriage scam is common throughout the US. Stay safe by staying informed.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the number of foreign-born people in the United States rose by 45.3 million from 2018-2022. This means more and more Americans are choosing to marry foreigners. To make it worse, it doesn’t help that the number of immigrants has skyrocketed over the years, as they seek a better life outside their country.

Being the land of opportunity, the US is one of the top destinations for these immigrants, hoping to earn a citizenship or a green card to find better opportunities.

One of the ways a foreign national can get a green card or apply for citizenship is by marrying a US national. This happens when an American meets a foreigner outside the US when they travel or through online interactions, forming a relationship until they both decide to live together in the US.

With more men becoming desperate for love, marriage has become one of the easiest ways to exploit vulnerable individuals from the US, luring them into a marriage scam.

What is a Sham Marriage?

A sham marriage is a union between two people for reasons other than genuine commitment. One party is usually motivated by financial gain or the citizenship and residency that come with the marriage, allowing them to reap benefits in the country. This type of romance scam is done by opportunistic foreign nationals.

There are different ways a scammer takes advantage of their victims.

One is by luring unsuspecting individuals with the promise of a romantic relationship, leading to marriage. They use psychological manipulation to compel the victim to submit to their whims. Once the scammer officially marries the victim and earns their green card, they then do whatever it takes to force a divorce.

Another way is by paying the victim a certain amount of money to marry them for the sole purpose of getting a green card.

Fortunately, US Immigration and other agencies around the world have begun to tighten the noose on marriage scams.

However, there’s no way to prevent them 100%. In fact, these romance scams are still common nowadays. So, how do you know if you are being scammed into a “sham marriage?”

Identifying a Sham Marriage Scam

When getting into a relationship with someone, especially a foreigner, you have to be wary of opportunistic people—you don’t know what their intentions are.

To avoid a fraudulent marriage, look out for these indicators:

Rushing Into Marriage

People in relationships often talk about getting married and whatever plans they have for the future—it’s a normal phase in many relationships. A scammer usually rushes you to marry, open a joint bank account, and co-sign legal documents as husband and wife.

Why do they want these things to happen fast?

That’s because these romance con artists don’t want to give their victims time to figure out their ruse. The sooner they get married, the sooner they’ll get what they want.

Lack of a Genuine Connection

Since the scammer involved is only motivated by financial gains or residency, the relationship they form with the victim is often stale and devoid of genuine commitment.

To make up for this and hide their intentions, they'll bombard you with fake love and affection. They will go to great lengths to force you to decide to marry them.

One sign of a non-authentic relationship with a scammer is the lack of a shared abode. If someone marries you for reasons other than love, don’t expect them to want to live with you.

Short-Lived Relationship

All the scammer needs is their green card. Once they have what they want, they won't think twice about discarding you by leaving the relationship or finding ways to force a divorce.

There's no use in staying for long when they no longer see the benefit of doing so.

Victims of marriage scams realize too late that they’ve been duped into a fake love affair.

What to Do When You Are a Victim of a Marriage Scam

The prevalence of marriage scams has plagued the US and other 1st-world countries for years as they often go undetected. But while these con artists are adept at hiding their acts, inconsistencies easily give them away.

If you are a victim of a marriage scam, don’t worry; the last thing you want to do is panic. Take the necessary precautions before reporting the scam to the proper authorities.

The first thing you will want to do is to cut off the perpetrator. Don’t allow them to manipulate you any further. Cut all contact, while saving any and all evidence that can help pin them down.

Here’s what you can do:

Find an agency, or if you’re in the US, contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
File a form or petition to remove the conditions of permanent residence of the person you were married to.
Gather as much evidence as possible.
Contact your local attorney for any legal proceedings.
Make sure all your belongings and properties are under your name, not theirs.

***

Who doesn't want to get married and live a happy life with their spouse? However, with the pervasiveness of marriage scams involving Western men and foreign women, it doesn't hurt to be a little more careful with your decisions.

Don't let your emotions get the better of you by rushing into marriage. Ensure the person you are interested in marrying is in it for love, not for a green card. And if you ever become a victim, don’t hesitate to report it to the proper authorities.

A marriage scam is only successful if you let your guard down. Keep yourself properly informed, and you should be fine. Making connections with foreign women isn’t necessarily a bad thing; such unions are extremely rewarding if done right.

If you want to find love online and outside your borders, you first need to learn how to be more secure. And more importantly, only marry someone you can trust.

References:

Gasson, Kristina. “What Should I Do If I Believe I'm a Victim of Marriage Fraud?” Nolo, https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-should-i-i-believe-i-am-victim-marriage-fraud.html. Accessed 15 July 2025.

Hahn, Joyce, and Lauren Medina. “Where Do Immigrants Live?” Census Bureau, 9 April 2024, https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2024/04/where-do-immigrants-live.html. Accessed 15 July 2025.

“Justice Manual | 1948. Marriage Fraud -- 8 U.S.C. 1325(c) And 18 U.S.C. 1546 | United States Department of Justice.” Department of Justice, https://www.justice.gov/archives/jm/criminal-resource-manual-1948-marriage-fraud-8-usc-1325c-and-18-usc-1546. Accessed 15 July 2025.

“Protect yourself from marriage fraud.” Canada.ca, 15 May 2025, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/protect-fraud/marriage-fraud.html. Accessed 15 July 2025.

Shumway, Grady. “What Is a Sham Marriage & How to Prevent It.” https://www.marriage.com/advice/family/sham-marriage/. Torres, Mia. “How to Identify and Avoid Marriage and Dating Scams.” 31 August 2024, https://www.courtly.com/resources/marriage-scams.

“What Is Marriage Fraud?” FindLaw, 27 June 2023, https://www.findlaw.com/immigration/deportation-removal/what-is-marriage-fraud.html. Accessed 15 July 2025.