Washington — On Wednesday, August 12th, 2026, the U.S. Justice Department announced criminal charges against 11 people accused of orchestrating an extensive marriage fraud scheme. The indictment, filed in New York's Southern District, alleges the scheme spanned from 2016 to 2026 and involved more than 1,000 sham marriages between Chinese nationals and U.S. citizens.

Defendants Amy Cheng, Xiao Mei Chan, and Gang Zheng are identified as facilitators of the operation. According to the indictment, the group used word of mouth, social media, and various advertising methods to market fraudulent immigration services primarily to citizens of the People's Republic of China. These services included arranging sham marriages to support fraudulent applications for lawful permanent resident status (green cards) in the United States.

Attorney General Todd Blanche described the case as "one of the largest marriage fraud prosecutions in United States history," characterizing the scheme as a "yearslong, multi-million-dollar cottage industry" aimed at helping individuals who would not or legally could not otherwise become U.S. citizens.

The indictment details that foreign nationals paid facilitators up to approximately $100,000 for assistance in obtaining sham marriages and green cards, while facilitators allegedly earned commissions of about $5,000 per arrangement. Prosecutors also submitted photos of sham wedding ceremonies, some held at nearby restaurants where participants donned traditional Chinese wedding attire and invited friends and family to simulate legitimate weddings.

The charges highlight ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to combat immigration fraud and uphold the integrity of the legal immigration system.

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