The U.S. Department of Justice released a federal indictment in Florida on the 4th, alleging that 11 individuals, led by New York resident Anny Chen, were involved in a widespread “marriage fraud” and bribery conspiracy spanning multiple states. They specifically recruited U.S. citizens, especially current or former U.S. military personnel, to enter into sham marriages with Chinese citizens to evade U.S. immigration laws, illegally assist Chinese citizens in obtaining permanent residency, and even attempt to obtain Department of Defense identification cards for access to military facilities.
According to prosecutors, the scheme operated at least from March 2024 to February 2025, with sham marriages occurring in Florida, New York, Connecticut, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Anny Chen, a 54-year-old U.S. citizen residing in New York (also known as Qianhua Chen), was identified as one of the key organizers of the scheme, responsible for contacting Chinese nationals, arranging marriages, making payments, and overseeing the recruitment process. Prosecutors noted that Chen was originally from China and later became a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Another key figure was former U.S. Navy veteran Raymond Andres Zumba. Prosecutors mentioned that Zumba not only participated in sham marriages himself but also, after receiving compensation, assisted in recruiting more Navy personnel to join the scheme.
Court documents revealed that in April 2024, Zumba got married to 38-year-old Chinese citizen Sha Xie in Brooklyn, New York. Prosecutors alleged that on the wedding day, Anny Chen paid Zumba $10,000 in cash as compensation for agreeing to the sham marriage. After the wedding, they held celebratory parties and took numerous photos, which were later used as immigration application materials to fabricate a false image of a “loving and committed” marital relationship.
Prosecutors pointed out that the group structured specific payment plans for each sham marriage: an initial payment of around $10,000 at the time of marriage, a second payment upon the nominal spouse obtaining legal immigrant status or a “green card,” and a final payment after divorce.
Zumba reportedly told a Navy member, who later became a confidential informant, that the total compensation could reach up to $35,000.
Additionally, the defendants also covered travel expenses for U.S. citizens to the marriage locations, including trips to Las Vegas, New York, and other places.
Prosecutors highlighted that the scheme went beyond immigration fraud. Some defendants attempted to acquire U.S. Department of Defense identification cards for the Chinese “nominal spouses,” even discussing obtaining credentials for access to military bases.
The indictment disclosed that Zumba’s wife worked in the personnel department at the Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida, responsible for issuing identification cards. Zumba allegedly told others that approximately $1,500 could be charged for each illegally obtained ID.
In a series of encrypted communications, Anny Chen messaged that obtaining such credentials would allow free access to any military base for medical care and shopping.
The case came to light when a Navy member reported to law enforcement. Under federal agents’ direction, the informant continued to engage with Zumba and his associates.
In February 2025, Zumba, Anny Chen, and two other defendants drove from New York to Jacksonville, Florida, in an attempt to exchange $3,500 in cash for two unauthorized military IDs. After the informant delivered the IDs and received the cash, federal agents immediately took action, arresting the individuals on the spot and confiscating the IDs.
Norm Dominesey, head of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Southeast Field Office, emphasized the importance of NCIS and Homeland Security Investigations collaboration in protecting critical military facilities and preventing unauthorized access through fraudulent means.
Five U.S. citizens were charged with conspiracy to commit marriage fraud in this case: Anny Chen (54), Ya Feng (23), Hai Ling Feng (27), Kiah Holly (29), and Jaden Bullion (24). Three of the Chinese nationals involved are residents of New York.
Six Chinese nationals were charged with conspiracy to commit marriage fraud: Sha Xie (38), Linlin Wang (38), Jiawei Chen (29), Hufang Xiong (41), Fan Tao (26), and Kin Man Cheok (32).
Among them, Anny Chen and Linlin Wang face additional marriage fraud charges; while Anny Chen, Hai Ling Feng, and Kin Man Cheok face additional charges of conspiracy to bribe public officials.
In related cases, former U.S. Navy members Raymond Zumba, Brinio Urena, Morgan Chambers, and Jacinth Bailey have pleaded guilty to the same scheme and are awaiting sentencing. Prosecutors stated that Zumba could face up to 15 years of federal imprisonment.