Chinese "Mafia" Makes Its Way Into Costa Rica By Way of Marriage, Investigators Found
An investigation by judicial authorities reveals that the Chinese "mafia" lands in Costa Rica by way of marriage. Chinese nationals have to obtain a visa to enter Costa Rica and have come under scrutiny by immigration officials over the past few years, including implications of wrongdoing by the former immgration director, who unexpectedly resigned his post last year.

Judicial officials investigating a number of kidnappings of Orientals learned that many are here under the immigration rules of being married to a Costa Rican, though the couple never have met.

The latest case revealed a series of phone numbers tied to the latest kidnapping that led investigators to the port town of Puntarenas, where investigators talked two Costa Rican women who didn't the whereabouts of their Oriental husband nor could they give investigators as description, because they had never actually met.

The marriage had been arranged by a local lawyer, who through the process of filing a civil ceremony gave the two men sought by investigators, the right to enter Costa Rica and live with their spouses.

One marriage is between a 32 year old Oriental and a 57 year old Tica, while the other is between a 23 year old and woman much older than he. The names were withheld by investigators as they continue their search for the two men.

The rules of the Registro Civil (Civil Registry) office are clear that a person married to a Costa Rican has the right enter and remain on Costa Rican soil, including applying for residency and citizenship, complying with the regulations.

Civil marriages are performed by a lawyer who prepares a document and then files it with the Registro. Once filed, the marriage is duly recorded becomes official. Though such marriages are not readily accepted in other countries, they are firm and binding in Costa Rica, allowing the foreigner rights granted by the Political Constitution.

Immigration officials have made attempts to stop or control these type of marriages, however their hands have been tied by bureaucracy and conflicting regulations, that for one, do not require a foreigner married to a Costa Rican to apply for residency and as such do not come under immigration scrutiny.

These types of marriages are common. In many cases the couple do not know each other, have never met and never will, though they are bound by matrimony. Some lawyers have been known to provide foreigners a "turn key" marriage, providing the Costa Rican better half, that for payment, will sign the documents.

Reports of lawyers charging thousands of dollars for this service are common, while the Costa Rican, usually a woman, will only receive a small portion, sometimes as little as ¢10.000 colones (us$20) for their part.