Hannah Kobayashi’s loved ones are considering the chance that she could have fallen prey to a green card marriage scheme in a startling new development.
This revelation comes after a period of doubt regarding the abrupt vanishing of the Hawaiian woman, prompting her family to seek explanations and causing the FBI to launch an inquiry.
The 30-year-old Kobayashi was most recently sighted traversing the U.S.-Mexico border on November 12, shortly after flying into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from Maui.
While law enforcement has classified her disappearance as voluntary, her family remains unconvinced and has pointed to potential fraud involving an alleged marriage to an Argentinian man, Alan Cacace.
A green card marriage scam typically involves a foreign national marrying a U.S. citizen to obtain legal residency, or a “green card”, in the United States.
In exchange, the citizen might receive financial compensation.
Such schemes are illegal and can severe penalties, including imprisonment and deportation.
Documents reportedly found by Kobayashi’s mother suggest her daughter may have been unknowingly entangled in such a plot, LA Mag reports.
Kobayashi’s family has revealed that her mother discovered immigration-related documents at their Hawaii home, which led them to suspect a fraudulent marriage involving her daughter.
Their attorney, Sara Azari, confirmed that these documents have been handed over to the FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for further investigation.
In a statement, Azari said: “We want to stress that the family has not publicly announced any information regarding an alleged marriage because we did not have the facts or the necessary documents to verify the legitimacy of this information.”
Hannah Kobayashi arrived at LAX on November 8 alongside her ex-boyfriend, who had purchased tickets before their breakup.
She was also travelling with Cacace and his girlfriend Marianna.
Despite plans to board a connecting flight to New York City, Kobayashi left the airport with only her backpack.
Over the next few days, she was spotted in various locations around Los Angeles, including The Grove shopping center, before security footage revealed her crossing into Mexico on foot with luggage on November 12.
The day before, on November 11, Hannah Kobayashi was seen travelling on the Los Angeles Metro system.
Security footage captured her boarding the Metro C Line at Aviation/Century Station at 9.02pm, transferring at Rosa Parks Station, and exiting at Metro Pico Station at 10.03pm with an unidentified person.
This was the last confirmed sighting of her in Los Angeles before she crossed into Mexico the following day.
Her family received unsettling messages from Kobayashi during this time, claiming she had been tricked and robbed by someone she thought she loved.
She also mentioned a “spiritual awakening” and that “deep hackers” had stolen her identity.
On November 24, Kobayashi’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, was found dead in an apparent suicide at an LAX parking garage after a fruitless search for his daughter.
While police have stated there is no evidence of foul play, Kobayashi’s family remains skeptical.
They are demanding access to the border footage that allegedly shows her crossing into Mexico alone.
Her sister, Sydni Kobayashi, criticized law enforcement’s decision to classify her disappearance as voluntary without consulting the family.
“We’re just as confused and frustrated as ever,” Sydni said.
The family’s attorney echoed these concerns, arguing that more investigation is needed.
“It takes a lot more digging and investigation to be able to say it’s voluntary,” Azari said.
The LAPD has stated that Kobayashi “knowingly departed” from LAX and expressed a desire to step away from modern connectivity.
However, they added that the missing persons case would remain active until her safety is confirmed.
Authorities encourage Kobayashi to contact law enforcement or the U.S. Embassy in Mexico to verify her well-being.
