Federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment in Florida in early February 2026 charging 11 people in what authorities described as a Chinese transnational marriage fraud and bribery scheme that targeted U.S. service members and sought access to military installations.
The case, filed in the Middle District of Florida, alleges conspirators recruited U.S. citizen spouses for sham marriages with Chinese nationals to obtain immigration benefits, while also attempting to obtain unauthorized military credentials.
U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe, the U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Florida, tied the allegations to military security in a statement dated February 4, 2026. “This scheme jeopardizes the safety and security of our military facilities. By recruiting service members into sham marriages, these individuals sought to exploit the very institutions designed to protect our nation for the purpose of evading immigration laws,” Kehoe said.
Investigators described Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville as a focal point, saying the alleged conspiracy relied on recruiting service members and then using their status and access to help legitimize filings and facilitate entry to military facilities.
The indictment, unsealed in early February 2026, charged 11 individuals and described a scheme that paired U.S. citizen spouses with Chinese nationals in exchange for cash payments linked to immigration milestones and a later divorce. Authorities also alleged a bribery attempt involving a public official and Common Access Cards, known as CACs, which function as credentials for access to military facilities.
Homeland Security Investigations framed the case as part of a broader effort to counter transnational criminal organizations that exploit immigration systems and pose security risks. Michael Cochran, acting special agent in charge of HSI Tampa, issued a statement dated February 11, 2026, describing the investigation as a national security matter as well as an immigration case.
“This investigation underscores the critical role that HSI plays in protecting our nation from transnational criminal organizations that seek to exploit our customs and immigration laws and threaten our national security. Through the dedication and expertise of our agents and partners, we have successfully investigated, disrupted and dismantled a sophisticated criminal network operating across borders,” Cochran said.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services also pointed to its fraud detection work in the case. In an official news release dated February 11, 2026, USCIS confirmed its “key assistance” in the investigation, saying Fraud Detection and National Security officers helped identify fraudulent filings used to “create the illusion of a real marriage.”
Prosecutors identified Quianhua “Anny” Chen as a central figure in the alleged operation. Authorities listed Chen, 54, of New York, as a recruiter and coordinator and said they are pursuing denaturalization proceedings against her for obtaining her own citizenship through fraud.
The indictment also charged Kin Man Cheok, 32, of China, and Hailing Feng, 27, of New York, with conspiracy to bribe a public official.
Authorities said conspirators recruited U.S. service members—predominantly from NAS Jacksonville—to marry Chinese nationals for immigration benefits. The alleged agreement included payments to the U.S. citizen spouse at different stages of the immigration process.
Under the alleged payment structure, U.S. citizen spouses were typically offered $10,000 in cash upfront upon marriage. The agreement described an additional $20,000 once a Green Card was secured, followed by a final $5,000 payment upon the finalized divorce.
Investigators said the alleged conspiracy went beyond immigration filings and focused on obtaining access to military installations through credentials. Authorities alleged the group attempted to bribe a public official at NAS Jacksonville to issue real, but unauthorized, Common Access Cards for Chinese nationals, granting access to military facilities worldwide.
Officials described the case as significant because of what they said were national security implications of People’s Republic of China nationals gaining access to sensitive military installations through fraudulent military IDs. The indictment alleged the conspirators aimed to turn marriage-based immigration benefits into a pathway for broader access.
Authorities said the operation required coordination across multiple states, including Florida, New York, Connecticut, and Nevada. Investigators described a “Homeland Security Task Force” approach involving HSI, NCIS, FBI, and USCIS.
Officials also pointed to what they described as vulnerabilities created when service members are targeted for recruitment. The case alleges the conspirators sought out active-duty sailors and reservists, using them as a gateway to marriages, filings, and potential access to installations.
Federal authorities said four former U.S. Navy personnel have already pleaded guilty to related charges: Raymond Zumba, Brinio Urena, Morgan Chambers, and Jacinth Bailey. Their pleas came before the unsealing of the broader indictment charging 11 individuals, according to the information released by officials.
Authorities said Zumba faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison for his role in both the fraud and the bribery attempt. Officials described the charges in the case as fraud- and bribery-related, with exposure that can increase when multiple counts apply.
Prosecutors said the 11 newly indicted individuals face maximum penalties of up to 5 years for marriage fraud conspiracy, with additional time possible for bribery and substantive fraud counts.
Officials also described immigration consequences for Chinese nationals tied to the alleged scheme. Authorities said the Chinese nationals involved face immediate revocation of any pending immigration benefits, permanent bars from entering the U.S., and potential deportation following criminal proceedings.
The government also emphasized denaturalization as part of its enforcement approach in fraud cases, highlighting the pursuit of denaturalization proceedings against Chen. Officials described that effort as tied to allegations that she obtained citizenship through fraud while facilitating large-scale immigration fraud.
The public record of the case includes announcements from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and HSI, as well as a USCIS release describing its investigative support. The Justice Department publicized the indictment in a February 4, 2026, press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida.
HSI issued an investigative update on February 11, 2026, in a release headlined “11 charged in Florida marriage fraud scheme targeting US service members”. USCIS referenced its February 11, 2026, assistance in an update in the USCIS Newsroom.
Authorities said the allegations in the indictment and related announcements will be tested in federal court. Kehoe’s February 4 statement framed the prosecution as both an immigration enforcement case and a military security case, warning of the risks posed when service members are pulled into marriage fraud and installation access becomes part of the objective. “This scheme jeopardizes the safety and security of our military facilities,” he said.
Florida Marriage Fraud Scheme Targeted U.S. Service Members
Eleven individuals face federal charges in Florida for a transnational scheme that recruited U.S. military members into sham marriages with Chinese nationals. Beyond immigration fraud, the group attempted to bribe officials to obtain military credentials for access to sensitive installations. Led by recruiter Quianhua Chen, the operation utilized cash incentives to exploit military institutions, prompting a multi-agency investigation focused on national security and immigration integrity.
