The US marriage fraud scheme uncovered by federal authorities has exposed one of the largest marriage-fraud networks ever charged in the United States. The U.S. Department of Justice has charged 11 people over an alleged decade-long operation that arranged more than 1,000 sham marriages to help foreign nationals, primarily Chinese citizens, obtain U.S. immigration status. The indictment was unsealed on August 12, 2026.
According to prosecutors, the network operated from at least 2016 through July 2026, with its main base in New York City. Investigators allege that the operation connected foreign nationals with U.S. citizens willing to enter fake marriages and then created documents and other evidence designed to make those relationships appear genuine.
Foreign nationals allegedly paid facilitators as much as $100,000 per sham marriage, while participating U.S. citizens could receive as much as $30,000. Recruiters could receive commissions of up to $5,000 for each U.S. citizen they brought into the operation.
Quick Highlights : US Marriage Fraud Scheme
- 11 defendants have been charged in the federal case.
- 10 defendants were arrested on August 12, while the indictment names 11 people.
- The alleged network arranged more than 1,000 sham marriages.
- The operation allegedly ran from 2016 through July 2026.
- Foreign nationals, primarily Chinese citizens, allegedly paid up to $100,000 per sham marriage.
- U.S. citizens could allegedly receive up to $30,000.
- Recruiters allegedly received commissions of up to $5,000 per recruited citizen.
- The network operated across multiple U.S. states and internationally.
- Prosecutors allege that fake documents, photographs, financial accounts and tax records were used to make marriages appear legitimate.
- The defendants face charges carrying potential maximum sentences of five and 10 years, depending on the count.
How the US Marriage Fraud Scheme Allegedly Worked
The US marriage fraud scheme allegedly operated as a structured business rather than a series of isolated fake marriages.
According to the indictment, facilitators identified foreign-national customers who wanted to obtain lawful permanent resident status. Recruiters then located U.S. citizens willing to participate in sham marriages.
The network allegedly included:
- Facilitators
- Recruiters
- Assistants
- Marriage officiants
- Attorneys
- Tax preparers
- Insurance providers
- Other service providers
Assistants allegedly helped prepare immigration paperwork and coordinate fraudulent applications for lawful permanent residence, commonly referred to as Green Cards.
Prosecutors allege that the network recruited hundreds of U.S. citizens to participate in sham marriages.
More Than 1,000 Fake Marriages Allegedly Arranged
The scale of the US marriage fraud scheme is one of the most significant aspects of the case.
Federal prosecutors allege that the network arranged more than 1,000 sham marriages over more than a decade.
The marriages were primarily between Chinese nationals and U.S. citizens. However, the operation allegedly involved foreign nationals and participants across multiple locations.
The Justice Department described the operation as a nationwide and international, multimillion-dollar marriage fraud scheme. Prosecutors said the network is believed to have collected tens of millions of dollars from foreign nationals seeking lawful permanent resident status.
Network Extended Across Several States and Countries
Although the alleged operation was principally based in New York City, investigators say its activities extended well beyond New York.
The indictment identifies alleged sham marriages or related activity in:
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- Pennsylvania
- Kentucky
- Tennessee
- Georgia
- Florida
- Vanuatu
- China
The international element adds another dimension to the investigation, with prosecutors alleging that some sham marriage ceremonies were arranged outside the United States as well.
How Fake Marriages Were Made to Look Real
One of the most detailed parts of the indictment concerns the alleged methods used to make fake relationships appear legitimate.
According to prosecutors, some couples met for the first time immediately before obtaining their marriage license.
The network allegedly then arranged:
- Sham wedding ceremonies
- Staged wedding photographs
- Joint bank accounts
- Joint utility accounts
- Joint tax returns
- Insurance policies
- Additional photographs designed to show the couples together
These materials were allegedly created to provide supporting evidence for immigration applications.
The defendants are also accused of submitting Green Card applications containing materially false information. When USCIS interviews were required, prosecutors allege that participants were coached on how to hide the true nature of their relationships and provide false answers to immigration officers.
How Much Money Was Involved?
The financial structure alleged by investigators shows why the US marriage fraud scheme could operate on such a large scale.
| Participant | Alleged Maximum Payment |
|---|---|
| Foreign national customer | Up to $100,000 |
| U.S. citizen spouse | Up to $30,000 |
| Recruiter | Up to $5,000 per citizen recruited |
The Justice Department said some foreign nationals paid approximately $100,000 for a sham marriage and assistance obtaining lawful permanent resident status.
Participating U.S. citizens allegedly received payments in installments tied to milestones in the Green Card application process, while recruiters were paid commissions for finding participants.
Based on the alleged scale and duration, prosecutors believe the network collected tens of millions of dollars.
Who Has Been Charged?
The federal indictment names 11 defendants.
They include:
- Amy Cheng, also known as Amy Zhou
- Xiao Mei Chan, also known as Carmen
- Christine Lu, also known as Lily
- Jing Yan Ye, also known as Serene
- Xiao Yan Chen, also known as Anna
- Gang Zheng, also known as Michael or Mike
- Anthony Cheng
- Michelle Duenas
- Angela Duenas
- Sigrid Cetino
- Erika Johnson
The Southern District of New York said 10 of the defendants were arrested on August 12 and were expected to appear before a federal magistrate judge in White Plains.
What Charges Do They Face?
The defendants have each been charged with two conspiracy counts.
The first count alleges conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and immigration fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The second alleges conspiracy to encourage the unlawful residence of aliens in the United States, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
These are maximum statutory penalties, not sentences that the defendants have received. Any sentence would ultimately be determined by the court.
The charges remain allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
What U.S. Officials Said
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department was targeting fraud within the immigration system and accused the defendants of allegedly using sham marriages to obtain immigration benefits.
U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald for the Southern District of New York described the case as one of the largest marriage-fraud schemes charged in U.S. history and said the alleged operation used participants to exploit immigration laws for profit.
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow also said the agency was pursuing marriage-fraud schemes and the organizations and individuals who profit from them.
Why US Marriage Fraud Scheme Case Matters for U.S. Immigration
The US marriage fraud scheme highlights how federal authorities are examining organized attempts to obtain immigration benefits through fraudulent relationships and supporting documents.
Marriage to a U.S. citizen can provide an immigration pathway, but the marriage must be genuine. A relationship created primarily to obtain an immigration benefit can trigger serious immigration and criminal consequences.
This case also demonstrates that immigration fraud investigations can extend beyond the people directly involved in a fraudulent marriage. Prosecutors allege that this network included recruiters, facilitators, document preparers, attorneys, tax professionals and other participants.
The investigation is therefore broader than simply identifying couples who allegedly entered sham marriages.
What Happens Next?
Federal authorities executed search warrants at locations in Sunset Park, Brooklyn; Flushing, Queens; and Staten Island when the defendants were arrested.
Investigators are also examining the wider network and the hundreds of fraudulent Green Card applications allegedly submitted to USCIS. The Justice Department said the operation’s scale and duration indicate that additional evidence and participants may be relevant to the investigation.
The case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, USCIS’s Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division and other agencies.
Key Takeaways Of US Marriage Fraud Scheme
The US marriage fraud scheme allegedly operated for more than a decade and arranged over 1,000 sham marriages involving primarily Chinese nationals and U.S. citizens.
The operation allegedly charged foreign nationals up to $100,000, paid U.S. citizen participants as much as $30,000, and rewarded recruiters with commissions of up to $5,000.
Federal prosecutors have charged 11 people, with 10 arrested on August 12. Authorities allege that the network created staged weddings, fabricated supporting evidence and coached participants for immigration interviews.
The case is now moving through the federal court system, and the allegations against the defendants have not been proven in court.
FAQs : US Marriage Fraud Scheme
What is the US marriage fraud scheme?
The US marriage fraud scheme refers to the nationwide and international operation described in a federal indictment unsealed in August 2026. Prosecutors allege that the network arranged more than 1,000 sham marriages to help foreign nationals obtain U.S. immigration status.
How many fake marriages were allegedly arranged in US Marriage Fraud Scheme?
Federal prosecutors allege that the network arranged more than 1,000 sham marriages between 2016 and July 2026.
How much did foreign nationals allegedly pay?
According to the indictment, some foreign nationals paid up to $100,000 for a sham marriage and assistance obtaining lawful permanent resident status.
How much were U.S. citizens allegedly paid in US Marriage Fraud Scheme?
Participating U.S. citizens could allegedly receive as much as $30,000, generally through installments connected to stages of the Green Card application process.
How many people were charged in US Marriage Fraud Scheme?
Eleven defendants were charged in the federal indictment. The Southern District of New York said 10 were arrested on August 12, 2026.
What could happen to the defendants if convicted in US Marriage Fraud Scheme?
The marriage and immigration fraud conspiracy count carries a maximum sentence of five years, while the conspiracy to encourage unlawful residence count carries a maximum of 10 years. Actual sentences, if any, would be determined by the court.
Source : Dainik Bhaskar
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