Federal authorities have charged 11 individuals in Florida in connection with an alleged marriage fraud scheme in which U.S. military service members were recruited to marry Chinese nationals so the foreign citizens could obtain immigration benefits and access to American military installations.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said the operation was orchestrated by a Chinese transnational criminal organization that arranged sham marriages between Chinese citizens and U.S. service members. According to investigators, the goal was to secure lawful immigration status for the foreign nationals and obtain Department of Defense identification cards granting access to military bases.
“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,” said Michael Cochran, acting special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Tampa. He added that agents and law enforcement partners were able to “investigate, disrupt and dismantle a sophisticated criminal network operating across borders.”
Authorities said fraudulent marriages occurred in multiple states, including Florida, New York, Connecticut and Nevada. To create the appearance of legitimate relationships, participants allegedly staged photographs together to present to immigration officials as evidence of bona fide marriages.
Prosecutors allege that the marriages were arranged under a structured payment system. The U.S. citizen spouse would reportedly receive an upfront cash payment for entering the marriage, a second payment after the foreign national obtained legal immigration status, and a final payment following a divorce.
Five individuals were charged with conspiracy to commit marriage fraud between March 2024 and February 2025:
- Anny Chen, 54, of New York, who was also charged with marriage fraud and conspiracy to commit bribery.
- Kiah Holly, 29, of Maryland.
- Kin Man Cheok, 32, of China, who was also charged with conspiracy to commit bribery between November 2024 and Feb. 14, 2025.
- Hailing Feng, 27, of New York, who was also charged with conspiracy to commit bribery.
- Xionghu Fang, 41, of China.
In addition, four former U.S. Navy service members — Raymond Zumba, Brinio Urena, Morgan Chambers and Jacinth Bailey — have pleaded guilty to charges related to the scheme. Sentencing for those individuals is pending.
Federal prosecutors allege that Chen, Feng and Cheok conspired with Zumba, a Navy reservist, in an attempt to bribe a public official. According to court documents, Zumba approached an individual whose spouse worked in the personnel office at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, which issues Department of Defense identification cards. Zumba allegedly inquired whether the spouse would issue legitimate but unauthorized ID cards in exchange for payment.
The individual reported the alleged plan to authorities and continued communicating with Zumba under law enforcement direction.
On Feb. 13, 2025, Zumba allegedly drove from New York to Jacksonville with Chen, Feng and Cheok. Authorities said he brought them onto Naval Air Station Jacksonville, where the cooperating source’s spouse allowed them into the personnel office after hours and began processing ID cards for Chen and Cheok.
The following day, Zumba allegedly met with the cooperating source and exchanged $3,500 for two identification cards. Law enforcement officials then arrested Zumba and recovered the cards, according to authorities.
ICE said the case highlights ongoing concerns about foreign actors attempting to exploit American immigration systems and military access procedures. The investigation remains ongoing.
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