Cash and fake marriages: Inside the alleged Chinese green card scheme targeting US military
Eleven people have been charged in the United States over an alleged marriage fraud scheme that recruited U.S. military service members to marry Chinese nationals in exchange for cash.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said the operation was orchestrated by a Chinese transnational criminal network that arranged sham marriages so Chinese citizens could obtain legal immigration status and gain access to U.S. military installations.
According to investigators, U.S. service members were offered payments to enter into fake marriages. The arrangement typically involved an upfront cash payment, a second payment once the Chinese national secured legal residency, and a final payment after the couple divorced.
Fox News reported that suspects staged photographs and created documents to make the marriages appear genuine when presenting applications to immigration officials.
“This investigation underscores the critical role that Homeland Security Investigations plays in protecting our nation from transnational criminal organisations that seek to exploit our customs and immigration laws and threaten our national security,” said HSI Tampa acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Cochran.
The alleged sham marriages took place in several states, including Florida, New York, Connecticut and Nevada.
Five individuals were charged with conspiracy to commit marriage fraud between March 2024 and February 2025. Some of them also face additional charges, including bribery conspiracy.
Federal prosecutors allege that three of the suspects attempted to bribe a public official connected to Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida. One U.S. Navy reservist allegedly asked whether an insider could issue real but unauthorised military identification cards in exchange for payment. The plan was reported to the authorities, leading to further investigation.
Four former U.S. Navy service members have pleaded guilty to charges linked to the scheme.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
