Eleven people have been arrested and charged in the United States over an alleged international marriage fraud operation that authorities say arranged more than 1,000 sham marriages to help foreign nationals obtain legal immigration status.
The case, announced by the U.S. Department of Justice, centres on an operation allegedly run from New York that connected foreign nationals, particularly Chinese citizens, with U.S. citizens willing to enter fake marriages in exchange for money.
According to federal prosecutors, some foreign nationals allegedly paid as much as $100,000 to facilitators to secure fraudulent marriages and pursue green cards. American citizens recruited into the scheme could reportedly receive as much as $30,000 for agreeing to marry foreign nationals despite having no genuine marital relationship.
Investigators allege that the operation went far beyond simply arranging marriages. Members of the network allegedly prepared fraudulent documents, created the appearance of shared lives between couples and coached participants on how to respond during immigration interviews.
Authorities say the alleged operation had been running for years and involved recruiters, facilitators and other professionals who helped make the fake relationships appear legitimate. Some marriages were allegedly accompanied by staged photographs, fabricated financial records and other supporting documents submitted to immigration authorities.
The operation reportedly extended beyond New York, with sham marriages arranged in several other U.S. states. Federal investigators also uncovered alleged links to individuals who helped recruit participants and facilitate the immigration paperwork.
The 11 defendants are facing federal charges related to conspiracy to commit marriage and immigration fraud. If convicted, they could face up to five years in prison on the conspiracy charge.
U.S. Attorney officials described the case as a major immigration fraud investigation, warning that organised schemes designed to manipulate the immigration system undermine the integrity of the country’s legal immigration process.
The arrests come as the administration of President Donald Trump intensifies its crackdown on immigration fraud and other methods allegedly used to obtain lawful residency or citizenship through deception.
The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
