passport marriage

[charliebaps]

my colleague and i are having an argument that maybe someone could help us with. She has been propositioned by a friend to a marriage of convenience as he doesn't have a british passport. although we both feel this is not right, the prospect of having the money has her in a bit off a tizz! i am telling her she could get into serious trouble if the authorities found out but she says i'm being dramatic and life isnn't like the green card film. anybody know of anyone that has done this or what the major drawbacks would be (i don't really think she would do it but i want to sound knowledgeable when it comes up again tomorrow!). thanks in advance

[woofgang]

the most major drawback that I can think of is prison if you get caught!!

[charliebaps]

i knew i was right!! thanks guys

[Hermia]

A bad, bad idea. I have a couple of friends who married foreigners and the hoops they had to jump through to prove the marriage was real were unbelievable. One had had two children by her husband by the time the authorities finally believed them!

The other thing to think about is what if your friend wants to marry in the future. There's a possibility that she may not be allowed a church wedding 'cause of the previous marriage. That might matter to her in the future.