Cross-Border Marriage Fraud Cases: Fake Marriages for Property Fraud
Case Overview:
Ms. Liu, a Chinese citizen, met a man who claimed to be a British businessman on an international dating website. After a year of online communication, they decided to marry, and Ms. Liu fully financed his visa application and other expenses in China. After the man successfully obtained the visa, they married and lived together in China. However, shortly after their marriage, Ms. Liu discovered that the man suddenly went offline, and upon further investigation, she found that he had multiple marriages prior to their own. Suspecting she had been deceived, Ms. Liu decided to seek legal help.
Legal Response:
Consultation and Evidence Collection:
When Ms. Liu sought help from Max International Law Firm, she provided all communication records with the man, their marriage certificate, and related payment receipts. After analysis, the legal team determined that the case exhibited typical signs of a cross-border marriage scam, where the man had deceived Ms. Liu into giving away her property through a fake marriage.
Marriage Background Investigation and Evidence Collection:
Max International Law Firm conducted a detailed investigation into the man's identity. Through collaboration with marriage registration authorities in the UK, the legal team discovered that the man was already married to someone else and had failed to disclose this information to Ms. Liu. The lawyers also found that the man had obtained financial support from Ms. Liu through false representations and fraudulent tactics.
Cross-border Litigation and Legal Action:
Max International Law Firm immediately contacted legal advisors in the UK and reported the case to Chinese law enforcement. Given the cross-border nature of the fraud, the firm assisted Ms. Liu in gathering sufficient evidence and initiated a cross-border investigation through INTERPOL. The lawyers also prepared the necessary civil litigation materials for Ms. Liu, filing a lawsuit against the man to recover the property acquired during the marriage.
Result and Recovery:
After two years of international litigation and investigation, the court ultimately ruled that the man's illegal actions were established. Ms. Liu successfully recovered the majority of the defrauded funds, while the man was convicted of fraud and faced criminal liability.
Outcome and Summary:
This case highlights the importance of background checks and property protection in international marriages, serving as a reminder for people to remain vigilant in cross-border marriages to avoid falling victim to fraud.
