Related Federal Cases
- Gabriel Martin Reed, Wire Fraud, California 2023 · Washington
- Seng Xiong, Elder Fraud Scheme, Minnesota 2024 · New Mexico
- Jacob Anthony Mora, Sexting Minors, California 2023 · Alabama
- John L. Steele, Mail and Wire Fraud, MN 2023 · Pennsylvania
- Michael Brian Perry, Child Pornography Distribution, California 2023 · Alabama
Marriage Fraud Scheme Rocks San Gabriel Valley
LOS ANGELES – A brazen marriage fraud scheme has been dismantled in the San Gabriel Valley, with two residents arrested and charged with orchestrating sham marriages between Chinese nationals and U.S. citizens in exchange for up to $60,000.
According to a federal complaint, Xiulan ‘Cindy’ Wang, 46, of San Gabriel, and Chang Yu ‘Andy’ He, 54, of Monterey Park, allegedly arranged for Chinese nationals to pay tens of thousands of dollars to enter into sham marriages with U.S. citizens, who were actually undercover agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The scheme, which began in March 2017, involved the defendants recruiting U.S. citizens to enter into marriages with Chinese nationals, and then filing immigration documents with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The defendants coached the couples on how to make their marriages appear legitimate, including creating a fraudulent paper trail and memorizing answers to questions USCIS officers could ask during their interviews.
The investigation, which was sparked by an anonymous tip, uncovered a complex web of deceit and corruption. The defendants allegedly instructed the couples to obtain joint bank accounts and leases, keep clothes in their apartments, and visit the apartments regularly to make their relationships appear legitimate.
One ‘marriage’ ceremony was even held at the Chapel of Love inside The Mall of America, where Wu and an undercover agent took their wedding vows and swore under oath that the information they provided on their marriage license was true and accurate. After the ceremony, He paid the undercover agent $10,000, and then Wu and the undercover agent filed the marriage certificate with the county clerk.
The two defendants arrested in Los Angeles are Wang and He. Zhongnan Liu, 33, of San Diego, and Huanzhang Wu, 28, of Saint Paul, Minnesota, were also arrested in connection with the scheme. A fifth defendant is currently a fugitive being sought by authorities. Wang was released on a $100,000 bond, while Wu was ordered detained pending further proceedings.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News