When a New York City resident went to apply for a marriage license she was surprised to learn that she was already married, and more than once!
In 2004, Anna Vargas learned she was the victim of identity fraud when she was told she could not legally marry her fiancé because she was already married. Four times.
With just three until her wedding the 37-year-old mother was heartbroken.
Upon investigation, she learned that at some point, someone began falsely using her identity to arrange fraudulent marriages to two men from other countries, Mexico and Ecuador, in 1996.
In 2009, she was informed that the man from Ecuador was claiming to be married to her, but he was suing for divorce. When he sent divorce papers she refused to sign them. Angry, he showed up at her mother-in-law’s house. After seeing a photo of their Anna Vargas, the man realized he had the wrong woman.
This past January, a judge ruled that Vargas was the victim of a fraud scheme and nullified the 1996 marriages. However, Vargas’ fight is not over, as she has learned she is married to a fourth man. She is currently working to erase this marriage as well.
