A total of 11 individuals face charges for a sham marriage and bribery conspiracy to fraudulently obtain US residency for Chinese nationals, involving military personnel.
WASHINGTON: US authorities have charged 11 people for their alleged involvement in a scheme to recruit Americans into sham marriages with Chinese nationals.
The Justice Department said the conspiracy aimed to fraudulently obtain US residency papers, or green cards, for the immigrants.
The scheme specifically targeted members of the US armed forces, who were paid thousands of dollars to enter into the marriages of convenience.
Four former US Navy personnel have already pleaded guilty to participating and are awaiting sentencing.
According to an indictment, a Navy reservist in Florida was paid USD 10,000 to marry a Chinese woman in 2024.
That reservist later helped recruit other colleagues into similar fraudulent marriages.
One recruited colleague was offered USD 10,000 to marry a Chinese national, with a further USD 20,000 promised upon securing a green card for the spouse and USD 5,000 for a subsequent divorce.
The sham weddings occurred in Florida, New York, Connecticut and Nevada between March 2024 and February 2025.
Prosecutors say the conspirators staged photographs of the couples to create false evidence of legitimate marriages for immigration authorities.
The charges include conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, marriage fraud and conspiracy to commit bribery.
Each defendant faces up to five years in prison if convicted.
The indictment also alleges some conspirators attempted to bribe an official to fraudulently create military identification cards for unauthorized persons.
US Attorney Gregory Kehoe said the scheme jeopardised the safety and security of US military facilities.
