Federal charges have been filed against nearly a dozen individuals connected to a marriage fraud network involving over 1,000 sham unions. This decade-long scheme allegedly charged Chinese nationals up to $100,000 to enter fake marriages with U.S. citizens, aiming for green card acquisition. The indictment, unsealed in New York City, includes 11 defendants, all naturalized U.S. citizens from China and one green card holder.
The Justice Department announced charges of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and immigration document fraud. Additional charges include conspiracy to encourage the unlawful residence of aliens in the United States.
The scheme represents one of the largest marriage fraud prosecutions in U.S. history, according to authorities. “This wasn’t a fly-by-night operation, but a multimillion-dollar industry aiding those unable to legally become citizens,” stated U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche during a news conference.
Details of the Fraud Network
The fraud ran from at least 2016 through July 2026. It focused on pairing Chinese citizens with U.S. citizens through sham marriages. Facilitation roles included recruiters, facilitators, and officiants. Authorities identified the individuals as Amy Cheng, 72; Xiao Mei Chan, 64; Christine Lu, 52; Jing Yan Ye, 43; Xiao Yan Chen, 48; Gang Zheng, 61; Anthony Cheng, 47; Michelle Duenas, 35; Angela Duenas, 26; Sigrid Cetino, 32; and Erika Johnson, 43.
Operational Structure of the Scheme
Participants paid up to $100,000 for sham marriages, while U.S. citizens earned up to $30,000, primarily in installments linked to green card application progress. Recruiters received commissions as high as $5,000 per participating citizen. Fake marriages occurred both in the U.S. and abroad, including locations like Vanuatu and China.
Photos of staged weddings, complete with attire and fake family gatherings, were used to conceal the fraud.
Couples signed prenuptial agreements waiving estate rights, reflecting the fraudulent nature of their unions. The process involved marriage officiants, attorneys, and other service providers.
USCIS Interview Coaching and Divorce Strategy
Before interviews with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), couples were coached on required procedures. Once a foreign national secured a green card, organizers allegedly facilitated divorces.
Jamie McDonald, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, estimated the network generated tens of millions of dollars over its operation span. Authorities are considering revoking green cards associated with these fake marriages.
Government Crackdown on Immigration Fraud
The Trump administration emphasized strict measures against marriage and immigration fraud, focusing on thorough interviews, increased arrests, and documentation scrutiny. In a related case, 11 individuals were charged in February for a similar scheme involving U.S. military members marrying Chinese nationals through a transnational gang approach.