11 Charged in Florida for Chinese Marriage Fraud Immigration Scheme Targeting U.S. Service Members
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The Homeland Security Task Force in Jacksonville has announced a multijurisdictional enforcement operation targeting a Chinese transnational criminal organization accused of orchestrating marriage fraud. The group allegedly recruited U.S. service members to enter sham marriages, allowing Chinese nationals to obtain immigration benefits and access to U.S. military installations. A three-count indictment was unsealed by the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, charging 11 individuals with marriage fraud conspiracy, marriage fraud, and bribery conspiracy.
“This investigation highlights the critical role that HSI plays in safeguarding the nation from transnational criminal organizations that exploit immigration laws and threaten national security,” said Michael Cochran, acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Tampa. “Through the expertise and dedication of our agents and partners, we have successfully investigated, disrupted, and dismantled a sophisticated cross-border criminal network.”
According to the indictment, the organization targeted U.S. citizens—especially military personnel—to participate in sham marriages with Chinese nationals, enabling them to unlawfully obtain lawful permanent resident status. The fraudulent marriages occurred in multiple states, including Florida, New York, Connecticut, and Nevada. To make the marriages appear legitimate, the conspirators staged photos and created documents suggesting the couples were in committed relationships. In reality, the U.S. citizens were paid in installments: an initial cash payment for entering the marriage, a second payment once immigration status was granted, and a final payment after divorcing.
On Feb. 3, HSI Jacksonville and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service Southeast, with support from HSI offices in New York, Baltimore, and Los Angeles, arrested five suspects. Two additional targets are scheduled to self-surrender, while authorities continue efforts to locate the remaining six. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and federal prosecutors are also pursuing denaturalization proceedings against Quianhua “Anny” Chen, suspected of obtaining U.S. citizenship through fraud.
Those charged with marriage fraud conspiracy between March 2024 and February 2025—each facing up to five years in federal prison—include:
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Anny Chen, 54, New York – also charged with marriage fraud and bribery conspiracy.
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Kiah Holly, 29, Maryland.
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Kin Man Cheok, 32, China – also charged with bribery conspiracy.
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Hailing Feng, 27, New York – also charged with bribery conspiracy.
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Xionghu Fang, 41, China.
In related cases, former U.S. Navy service members Raymond Zumba, Brinio Urena, Morgan Chambers, and Jacinth Bailey have pleaded guilty to charges connected to the same scheme; their sentencing hearings are pending.
The indictment further alleges that Chen, Feng, and Cheok conspired to bribe a public official. In January 2025, a confidential source reported that Navy reservist Zumba, who had already pleaded guilty to bribery, offered payments in exchange for unauthorized ID cards at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. Acting under federal supervision, the source engaged Zumba and others, leading to an operation in which Zumba, Chen, Feng, and Cheok attempted to obtain the IDs. Zumba was arrested and the ID cards were recovered.
This investigation was led by HSI and NCIS, with significant support from the FBI Jacksonville, IRS Criminal Investigation Jacksonville, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Jacksonville.
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