SECURITY ALERT: U.S. military members allegedly paid to marry Chinese nationals in immigration fraud scheme

February 12, 2026

From Fox News: Eleven people were charged in Florida in an alleged marriage fraud scheme that involved the recruitment of U.S. military service members to marry Chinese citizens.

The scheme was orchestrated by a Chinese transnational gang that recruited military members to participate in fraudulent marriages so that Chinese citizens could obtain immigration benefits and access cards for U.S. military installations, said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“This investigation underscores the critical role that HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) plays in protecting our nation from transnational criminal organizations that seek to exploit our customs and immigration laws and threaten our national security,” said HSI Tampa acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Cochran.

“Through the dedication and expertise of our agents and partners, we have successfully investigated, disrupted and dismantled a sophisticated criminal network operating across borders.”

The sham marriages took place around the country, including in Jacksonville, Florida, as well as in New York, Connecticut and Nevada.

The report explains that the scheme involved an upfront payment to the U.S. citizen “spouse” for agreeing to marry the Chinese national, a second payment when the Chinese national obtained legal immigration status in the U.S., and a final payment after a divorce was finalized.

Former U.S. Navy members Raymond Zumba, Brinio Urena, Morgan Chambers and Jacinth Bailey have all been charaged in the scheme, as well as multiple Chinese nationals.