Marriage Fraud & Fake Nikah Scams in Pakistan — Know the Signs

What Is Marriage Fraud?

Marriage fraud occurs when someone enters or promises a marriage with no genuine intent, specifically to gain something — money, sexual access, property, or immigration status.

• Promising nikah to gain physical access, then disappearing
• Conducting a secret or unregistered nikah to avoid accountability
• Using marriage promise to extract money from a woman or her family
• Marrying multiple women simultaneously without disclosure (bigamy)
• Fake marriage certificates to deceive families

How to Verify a Nikah Is Real

• Demand the Nikah Nama — the official Union Council registered document
• Verify registration at your local Union Council or NADRA
• Check CNIC of the spouse — match it to their face and family
• Ensure witnesses (two adult Muslim males) are known and contactable
• A valid nikah must be registered within 30 days under MFLO 1961

Reporting Marriage Fraud

• File FIR at local police station under PPC Section 493 (causing a woman to believe she is lawfully married)
• Also Section 496 (mock ceremony of marriage)
• Approach Family Court for dissolution and damages
• HRCP legal aid: 042-35761999