Sham Marriage Scheme Involving U.S. Navy Service Members
Reports indicate that two Chinese individuals were caught up in a fraudulent marriage scheme, allegedly marrying U.S. Navy members to secure green cards.
A news outlet reported that Morgan Chambers and Jacinth Bailey face charges for conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, which could result in a maximum prison sentence of five years.
Court documents reveal that Chambers claimed to have been approached for a fake marriage in September 2024. In this arrangement, she was promised $35,000, which included a $10,000 upfront payment. The Chinese man involved would receive $20,000 upon obtaining his green card, with additional payment to Chambers once the divorce was finalized. Bailey is also said to have sought a similar arrangement around the same time, with expectations of payment totaling $45,000.
Both Chambers and Bailey were charged with conspiracy to commit marriage fraud. They did not attend their initial court appearance, and details about their specific naval base affiliations remain unclear.
Interestingly, both men opted to waive their right to formally face charges, a choice that might help them expedite their legal process. Their legal representatives chose not to provide comments on the situation.
Reports also point out that this isn’t the first incident involving U.S. Navy personnel linked to sham marriages. In February 2025, a naval reservist named Raymond Zumba was arrested for allegedly bribing officials to secure military IDs for Chinese immigrants. He was also accused of enlisting Americans for similar fraudulent marriages.
Additionally, another individual, Brinio Urena, previously a recruiter for the Navy, faced indictment in August 2025 for his involvement in recruiting military members through sham marriages. Urena has reportedly pleaded guilty.
Sources reveal that Mr. Bailey holds a position as a flight deck chief on the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, while Mr. Chambers serves as a human resources specialist for the Naval Talent Acquisition Group in Jacksonville.
