Large Marriage Fraud Network Exposed: Federal Charges Announced

Federal prosecutors have unveiled charges against nearly a dozen individuals linked to a marriage fraud network accused of facilitating over 1,000 sham unions. This operation allegedly charged Chinese nationals up to $100,000 to engage in fake marriages with U.S. citizens to secure green cards.

The indictment, unsealed in New York City, lists 11 defendants, including naturalized U.S. citizens from China and a green card holder. They face charges of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, immigration document fraud, and conspiracy to encourage the illegal residence of aliens in the U.S., according to the Justice Department.

Authorities described the fraud as one of the largest marriage fraud prosecutions in U.S. history. U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche highlighted that this was not a short-lived scheme but a years-long, multimillion-dollar enterprise aiding individuals who couldn’t legally become U.S. citizens.

Roles within the network included facilitators, recruiters, and officiants. The defendants are identified as Amy Cheng, Xiao Mei Chan, Christine Lu, Jing Yan Ye, Xiao Yan Chen, Gang Zheng, Anthony Cheng, Michelle Duenas, Angela Duenas, Sigrid Cetino, and Erika Johnson.

Operating from 2016 to July 2026, the scheme mainly involved Chinese citizens marrying U.S. citizens. Facilitators managed the operation, recruiters found American participants, and assistants handled immigration paperwork. Payment for sham marriages reached $100,000, with U.S. participants receiving up to $30,000, largely in installments tied to green card stages. Recruiters earned commissions up to $5,000 per participant.

“This network took in tens of millions of dollars over its decade-long operation,” said Jamie McDonald, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Sham marriages occurred across the U.S. and overseas, including Vanuatu and China, with photographs staged to simulate authentic weddings, featuring families at restaurants, wedding attire, photographers, and guests.

In addition to the fraudulent marriages, the network employed marriage officiants, attorneys, tax preparers, insurance providers, and other services. Couples received coaching for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services interviews, and divorces were arranged after green card acquisition.

There is ongoing consideration by authorities regarding the potential revocation of green cards obtained through these fake marriages.

Efforts to combat marriage and immigration fraud have intensified, with increased scrutiny of documentation and enforcement actions. The Trump administration prioritized arresting and prosecuting participants in fraudulent marriage networks.

In an analogous case, 11 individuals faced charges in a marriage fraud scheme involving U.S. military service members marrying Chinese nationals for immigration benefits, organized by a Chinese gang, as reported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).