Miscellaneous
US Authorities Bust Marriage Fraud Ring Involving 1,000+ Sham Weddings
US authorities arrested 11 people Wednesday for orchestrating over 1,000 sham marriages—mostly involving Chinese nationals—to obtain permanent residency, in what the Justice Department called one of the largest marriage fraud cases in US history.
Eleven individuals were arrested Wednesday by US authorities on charges related to organizing more than 1,000 fraudulent marriages, primarily for foreign nationals—most of them Chinese—seeking lawful permanent resident status in the United States.
Justice Department’s Largest Marriage Fraud Case
Attorney General Todd Blanche characterized the investigation as “one of the largest marriage fraud cases in United States history.” He emphasized that federal efforts extend beyond securing physical borders against unlawful entry and include dismantling complex schemes designed to circumvent immigration law.
According to investigative findings, Chinese nationals paid up to $100,000 to arrange marriages with US citizens, enabling them to file applications for permanent residence—commonly known as “green cards”—and authorization to work in the US.
In return, participating US citizens received payments of up to $30,000 per sham marriage.
Decade-Long Scheme With Elaborate Staging
Blanche stated the operation was neither brief nor incidental; it spanned multiple years and generated millions of dollars in illicit proceeds.
The 11 defendants include 10 US citizens of Chinese descent and one lawful permanent resident.
US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jamie McDonald confirmed that the accused—and unnamed co-conspirators—orchestrated more than 1,000 sham marriages over the past decade.
They recruited US citizens to enter into fictitious marriages and coordinated full wedding ceremonies—including officiants, formal attire, professional photographers, and invited guests—to create a veneer of authenticity for immigration authorities.
Charges and Maximum Penalties
Defendants face charges of conspiracy to commit marriage and immigration fraud, carrying a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment. They are also charged with conspiracy to encourage and induce unlawful presence of aliens, which carries a maximum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment.
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