11 charged in ‘one of the largest marriage fraud’ cases in US history

Eleven charged in decade-long sham marriage case

Federal prosecutors have charged 11 people in an alleged marriage-fraud operation described by Attorney General Todd Blanche as one of the largest prosecutions of its kind in U.S. history. Authorities allege that the network arranged more than 1,000 sham marriages across several states.

The indictment says the alleged conspiracy operated from 2016 through July 2026 and primarily served Chinese nationals seeking lawful permanent residence. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

The alleged operation reached several states

The Justice Department unsealed a two-count indictment alleging that a network arranged more than 1,000 sham marriages. The alleged operation was centered in New York and extended to Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida.

Prosecutors allege that the network collected tens of millions of dollars during its decade-long run. Attorney General Todd Blanche described the case as one of the largest marriage-fraud prosecutions in U.S. history.

How prosecutors say the scheme operated

The indictment alleges that foreign nationals paid as much as $100,000 to facilitators who matched them with U.S. citizens. Participating U.S. citizens allegedly received as much as $30,000 for entering sham marriages.

Prosecutors say participants arranged weddings, created supporting records and helped couples submit immigration paperwork seeking lawful permanent residence. The government alleges that the process used false marriages and documents to evade immigration requirements.

Key defendants named in the federal indictment

Amy Cheng, Xiao Mei Chan and Gang Zheng are among six people identified by prosecutors as alleged facilitators. The indictment accuses the facilitators of helping connect foreign customers with U.S. citizens and arrange applications for immigration benefits.

All 11 defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and immigration-document fraud and with conspiracy to encourage or induce unlawful residence for financial gain. The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Prosecutors allege tens of millions in revenue

Prosecutors allege that the operation generated tens of millions of dollars over approximately a decade. Foreign customers were allegedly charged as much as $100,000, while participating U.S. citizens could receive as much as $30,000.

The indictment also says recruiters could receive up to $5,000 for each U.S. citizen they brought into the alleged operation. Prosecutors say the financial arrangements supported a network involving facilitators, recruiters, assistants, tax preparers, attorneys and marriage officiants.

The allegations reach across several states

The alleged operation was centered primarily in New York but extended to Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Prosecutors also identified alleged activity in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida.

Federal authorities charged 11 defendants following an investigation into marriage arrangements, immigration applications and related activity. The indictment was unsealed in federal court in Manhattan on August 12, 2026.

The alleged conspiracy spanned a decade

The indictment alleges that the conspiracy operated from 2016 through July 2026. Prosecutors say the network arranged more than 1,000 sham marriages during that period and generated tens of millions of dollars.

Federal authorities announced charges against 11 defendants on August 12, 2026. The indictment and supporting records will be examined through the federal court process, and the allegations have not yet been proven.

U.S. citizens were allegedly paid to participate

Prosecutors allege that participating U.S. citizens were offered as much as $30,000 to marry foreign nationals without intending to establish genuine marital relationships.

The indictment says participants staged ceremonies, posed for photographs and created records intended to make the marriages appear legitimate. Those materials were allegedly used to support applications for lawful permanent residence.

Most foreign customers were reportedly Chinese nationals

Court documents say most of the foreign customers were citizens of China seeking lawful permanent residence in the United States. Prosecutors allege that they paid facilitators to arrange sham marriages with U.S. citizens.

Marriage to a U.S. citizen can provide a pathway to apply for permanent residence, but approval is not automatic. The government alleges that participants submitted false documents and staged evidence to make the marriages appear genuine during the immigration process.

Federal charges and potential prison sentences

Each defendant faces conspiracy to commit marriage and immigration fraud, carrying up to five years per count. They also face conspiracy to encourage unlawful residence, which carries up to ten years.

If convicted on all charges, defendants could face combined maximum sentences of up to fifteen years in prison. Sentencing will depend on individual roles and cooperation with ongoing investigations.

Official statements from top justice department leaders

Attorney General Todd Blanche called the case one of the largest marriage fraud prosecutions in United States history. He emphasized how the scheme showed how far people will go to cheat the immigration system.

U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald said today’s arrests dismantled a central component of this massive fraud network. She noted the defendants made enormous sums through their decade-long criminal enterprise.

Little-known fact: Todd represented President Donald Trump in three of the criminal cases brought against him in 2023 and 2024.

The indictment was unsealed in Manhattan

Federal authorities announced charges against 11 defendants on August 12, 2026. The two-count indictment was unsealed in federal court in Manhattan, and the defendants were expected to make initial appearances in White Plains federal court.

The indictment outlines alleged marriage arrangements, payments and immigration filings connected to the operation. Those allegations remain subject to examination in court.

In other news, the Justice Department brings fraud charges against 11 migrants tied to SNAP benefits.

The case puts marriage fraud under scrutiny

The indictment describes an alleged network that used sham marriages, staged photographs and supporting documents to seek immigration benefits. Prosecutors say such schemes interfere with the government’s ability to determine who qualifies for lawful status.

The charges demonstrate the federal government’s continued focus on large-scale immigration fraud. Whether prosecutors can prove the allegations against each defendant will be determined through separate federal court proceedings.

Fraud investigations are also drawing attention in the education sector, with alleged schemes totaling $225 million identified across U.S. schools.

Do you think stronger enforcement could help prevent large-scale marriage fraud schemes? Share your thoughts.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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