There was no way to verify the information on the passenger record (or list) at this time..... I had the same issue with Torelli's family between 1915 and 1920 at their arrival in New-York.
That question on the passenger list was serious for this time... On my side, Concetta Torelli says that her relative was her brother Michael :) but she has no brother Michael on her family.... i did find out that Michael was a cousin on her father's side... we call that a german cousin.
My conclusion is that they wanted to flee Italy so much that they find out a way to trick the system in the early 1910's or 1920's.. Family was enough to get to US :)