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Service Members Lured into Fraudulent Unions (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Jacksonville, Florida – A federal indictment has exposed a transnational criminal network that arranged fake marriages between Chinese nationals and U.S. military personnel to bypass immigration laws.[1]
Service Members Lured into Fraudulent Unions
Investigators uncovered a plot where conspirators specifically sought out members of the armed forces for sham weddings. The scheme promised quick cash to recruits, who entered into marriages lacking any genuine relationship. Chinese nationals gained lawful permanent resident status through these unions, submitted with staged photographs to immigration officials.[2]
Marriages took place in multiple states, including Florida, New York, Connecticut, and Nevada. Participants received payments in stages: an initial sum upon marriage, another after the foreign spouse obtained legal status, and a final payout following divorce. This structured compensation fueled the operation from March 2024 through February 2025.[1]
Charges Detail Conspiracy and Bribery
All 11 defendants face charges of marriage fraud conspiracy, carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Some individuals also stand accused of individual counts of marriage fraud and bribery conspiracy.
- Anny Chen, 54, of New York
- Kiah Holly, 29, of Maryland
- Kin Man Cheok, 32, of China
- Hailing Feng, 27, of New York
- Xionghu Fang, 41, of China
Authorities arrested five suspects on February 3, 2025, with two more set to self-surrender. Efforts continue to locate the remaining six. Federal prosecutors seek denaturalization for Anny Chen, alleging she obtained citizenship through fraud.[1]
Bribery Twist Grants Base Access
The plot extended beyond weddings to include bribery for unauthorized military identification cards. Conspirators, including Chen, Feng, and Cheok, worked with Navy reservist Raymond Zumba to pay $3,500 for after-hours issuance of IDs at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. These cards allowed Chinese nationals entry to U.S. military installations.[3]
Zumba drove from New York to Jacksonville on February 13, 2025, to execute the bribe. He later pleaded guilty to bribery of a public official. The target was a personnel office employee at the base.[1]
Related Guilty Pleas Strengthen Case
Four former Navy service members have already admitted involvement. Brinio Urena, Morgan Chambers, Jacinth Bailey, and Zumba entered guilty pleas tied to the fraud. Sentencing hearings for these individuals remain pending.
Homeland Security Investigations led the probe, with support from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. “This investigation underscores the critical role that HSI plays in protecting our nation from transnational criminal organizations,” said HSI Tampa acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Cochran.[1]
Prosecutors emphasize the national security risks posed by such schemes. For full details, see the ICE news release.[1]
Key Takeaways
- Sham marriages enabled green cards and military base access for Chinese nationals.
- Service members received staged payments totaling thousands per union.
- Joint federal efforts disrupted the network, with more arrests expected.
Federal authorities vow to pursue all involved to safeguard immigration integrity and military security. What steps should be taken to prevent such exploitation of service members? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Besides founding Festivaltopia, Fritz is the managing director of Europe’s largest manufacturer of mobile stages Kultour and has a lot of experience in the event industry, loves music and likes to go to festivals.
