Eleven Charged in Marriage Fraud Scheme Involving U.S. Soldiers

In Florida, authorities have charged eleven individuals connected to a fraudulent marriage operation that involved U.S. military personnel marrying Chinese citizens.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported that this operation was managed by a transnational Chinese gang that enlisted soldiers to engage in sham marriages. The goal was to help Chinese nationals secure immigration benefits and gain access to U.S. military facilities.

Michael Cochran, who is the acting special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Tampa, noted, “This investigation underscores the critical function HSI serves in safeguarding our nation against transnational criminal organizations that aim to exploit customs and immigration laws, jeopardizing our national security.” He added that the commitment and skills of their agents have been pivotal in addressing and dismantling this elaborate criminal network.

Sham Marriages Across the U.S.

The fraudulent marriages reportedly took place in Jacksonville, Florida, and other locations such as New York, Connecticut, and Nevada. To convince immigration authorities that these unions were legitimate, those involved provided evidence, like photographs of the couples, portraying them as being in a committed and loving relationship.

Interestingly, the arrangement included a payment plan where the U.S. spouse would receive an advance for marrying the Chinese partner, another payment upon the receipt of legal immigration status, and a final one upon divorce.

Further Details on Charges

Between March 2024 and February 2025, five individuals were indicted for conspiracy related to marriage fraud:

• Annie Chen, 54, from New York, also facing charges of marriage fraud and conspiracy to commit bribery.
• Kia Holly, 29, from Maryland.
• Kin Mancheok, 32, from China, charged with conspiracy to commit bribery.
• Haylin Feng, 27, from New York, facing bribery conspiracy charges.
• Xionghu Fang, 41, also from China.

Several former U.S. Navy personnel—Raymond Zumba, Brinio Urena, Morgan Chambers, and Jacinth Bailey—pleaded guilty to related charges, with their sentencing still pending.

Federal prosecutors have also claimed that Annie Chen, Heiling Feng, and Kin Man-cheok engaged in a conspiracy to bribe public officials. Zumba, who was in the Naval Reserve, allegedly attempted to bribe an unidentified source and an individual who worked in the Human Resources Office at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, which issues Army identification cards.

Zumba reportedly inquired whether it would be possible to secure a valid but unauthorized ID card for financial compensation. Authorities were notified of the scheme and maintained communication with Zumba.

On February 13, 2025, Zumba drove from New York to Jacksonville with Annie Chen, Feng, and Cheok. They went to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, where the source’s spouse allowed them access to the human resources office outside of regular hours, beginning the process of obtaining ID cards. The next day, Zumba met with the source, handing over two cards in exchange for $3,500, leading to Zumba’s immediate arrest and the recovery of the card by authorities.