Massive Marriage Fraud Ring Exposed: 11 Charged in Immigration Scheme Targeting U.S. Military
The Unfolding of a Complex Immigration Conspiracy
The United States Department of Justice has unveiled charges against eleven individuals accused of orchestrating an elaborate marriage fraud operation designed to help Chinese nationals obtain immigration benefits through fake marriages. The scandal, which came to light when an indictment was unsealed in a Florida court on Wednesday, reveals a calculated scheme that specifically targeted U.S. military service members, exploiting both their trusted positions and access to military facilities. At the center of this operation stands Anny Chen, a 54-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from China who resides in New York. According to prosecutors, Chen and her co-conspirators created a network that recruited American citizens—with a particular focus on Navy personnel—to enter into fraudulent marriages with Chinese nationals seeking to gain legal immigration status in the United States. The case highlights not just immigration fraud, but also serious national security concerns, as the conspirators allegedly attempted to obtain military identification cards for the foreign spouses, which would grant them access to sensitive military installations, facilities, and benefits reserved for legitimate military families.
How the Scheme Operated: From Recruitment to Fake Weddings
The mechanics of this alleged fraud ring were surprisingly straightforward yet disturbingly effective. Court documents detail how Raymond Zumba, a U.S. Navy service member, was recruited by Anny Chen and another conspirator to marry a Chinese national named Sha Xie, 38 years old. Their wedding took place in Brooklyn in April 2024, and it wasn’t just a simple courthouse ceremony—the conspirators went to considerable lengths to make the marriage appear legitimate. Other members of the group attended a wedding party where photographs were taken, all carefully staged to create the illusion of a genuine romantic union. These photos were then included in immigration paperwork submitted to authorities as evidence that the relationship was real and based on love rather than immigration convenience. For his participation in this sham marriage, prosecutors say Zumba received $10,000 in cash at the wedding itself—a payment that would prove to be just the beginning of his involvement in the scheme. After his own fraudulent marriage, Zumba allegedly became a recruiter himself, working to bring other Navy cadets into the conspiracy. The operation spread across multiple states, with sham weddings taking place in Jacksonville, Florida, as well as in New York, Connecticut, and Nevada, demonstrating the nationwide scope of this criminal enterprise.
The Payment Structure and Growing Ambitions
The financial incentives offered to American citizens willing to participate in these fake marriages were substantial and structured to ensure cooperation throughout the lengthy immigration process. According to prosecutors, recruiters promised participants a three-tier payment system designed to keep them engaged from the initial wedding through to the eventual divorce. The first payment came upfront at the time of the marriage—typically around $10,000 in cash. A second payment would follow once the foreign spouse successfully obtained legal immigration status in the United States, a process that could take months or even years. Finally, a third payment would be made after the couple officially divorced, allowing both parties to move on from the arrangement. In conversations with a source, Zumba allegedly disclosed that couples could earn up to $35,000 total for participating in a sham marriage, with the initial $10,000 paid immediately. These substantial sums made the scheme attractive to young military personnel who might be struggling financially. However, the conspiracy didn’t stop at simply obtaining immigration benefits. The most alarming aspect of the scheme involved efforts to secure military identification cards for the newly married Chinese spouses—cards that would grant them access to military bases, commissaries, medical facilities, and recreation areas, raising serious national security concerns.
The Military ID Card Component: A National Security Threat
What elevated this case from a simple immigration fraud to a matter of national security was the conspirators’ determination to obtain legitimate military identification cards for the Chinese nationals involved in the fake marriages. Raymond Zumba allegedly approached a source who was still actively serving in the Navy in February 2025, attempting to recruit this person into the scheme. During their conversations, Zumba explained how military spouses could obtain ID cards that would grant them extensive privileges on military installations. The source Zumba approached had a significant advantage for the conspiracy—his wife worked in the personnel office at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, the very office responsible for issuing these identification cards. Zumba allegedly told the source that the cards would be for unspecified individuals from China and offered to pay up to $1,500 per card initially. As the discussions continued, Zumba apparently tried to make the deal more enticing, mentioning that the Chinese nationals had paid for his travel to Las Vegas and were possibly funding an upcoming trip to Miami, suggesting the lifestyle benefits that cooperation could bring. The price for the ID cards eventually increased to $3,500 each, according to criminal complaints. In text messages to Zumba, Anny Chen allegedly explained exactly why these cards were so valuable, writing “I can go to any military base at any time with this card,” and noting that she could obtain free medical care and shop at base commissaries—privileges meant exclusively for military families and service members.
The Sting Operation and Arrests
Fortunately for national security, the Navy source that Zumba attempted to recruit had different plans. Instead of agreeing to participate in the scheme, the source took the information directly to law enforcement authorities. Recognizing the serious nature of both the immigration fraud and the potential security breach, law enforcement officials worked closely with the Navy member to set up a controlled transaction designed to catch the conspirators in the act. The plan was carefully coordinated: the source would arrange a meeting with Zumba, Anny Chen, and others involved in the conspiracy in Florida, ostensibly to pick up a shipment of the military identification cards. When the meeting took place, the source handed over the cards as planned, and the defendants provided the agreed-upon payment—at which point federal agents moved in and arrested the defendants. The swift action by law enforcement prevented what could have been a significant security breach. Special Agent in Charge Norm Dominesey of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Southeast Field Office emphasized the importance of the collaboration between agencies, stating, “This case represents the importance of joint efforts by NCIS and Homeland Security Investigations necessary to safeguard our critical military infrastructures and disrupt fraudulent methods of access.” The arrests demonstrated how crucial it is for service members to report suspicious activities and how effective inter-agency cooperation can be in protecting both immigration integrity and national security.
The Charges and Implications
The indictment handed down charges against eleven individuals involved in various aspects of the conspiracy. Five U.S. citizens were charged with marriage fraud conspiracy: Anny Chen (54), Yafeng Deng (23), Hailing Feng (27), Kiah Holly (29), and Jaden Bullion (24). Six Chinese nationals also face charges of marriage fraud conspiracy: Sha Xie (38), Linlin Wang (38), Jiawei Chen (29), Xionghu Fang (41), Tao Fan (26), and Kin Man Cheok (32). Additionally, Anny Chen and Linlin Wang each face an extra charge of marriage fraud, while Hailing Feng and Kin Man Cheok were hit with additional bribery charges. As of the time of reporting, most defendants had not yet secured legal representation listed in court records, and requests for comment from available attorneys went unanswered. Separately, four former U.S. Navy service members—Raymond Zumba, Brinio Urena, Morgan Chambers, and Jacinth Bailey—have already pleaded guilty to charges related to this same scheme, indicating the breadth of the conspiracy and the number of military personnel who were drawn into it. Zumba, who appears to have been a central figure in recruiting others and attempting to obtain the military ID cards, faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in the immigration system and the importance of protecting military installations from potential security threats. It also highlights how financial incentives can tempt even those in positions of trust to compromise their integrity and, potentially, national security.
