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Ten people were arrested last Thursday in a marriage fraud scheme that charged foreign nationals up to $40,000 each to “marry” an American citizen in order to obtain immigration benefits. The four ringleaders of the scheme reportedly raked in over $40 million arranging the fake marriages. Now the jig is up.
From ICE.gov: An investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Maryland; along with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; Department of State Diplomatic Security Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Maryland, led to federal charges for four individuals — Ella Zuran, 65, Tatiana Sigal, 74, and Alexandra Tkach, 41, of New York City, New York; along with Shawnta Hopper, 33, of Sicklerville, New Jersey — for facilitating visa and marriage fraud.
ICE Homeland Security Investigations HSI Maryland and USCIS with assistance from the Department of State Diplomatic Security Service administratively arrested 10 individuals April 24. Individuals involved have had their immigration benefits revoked as part of this investigation.
“The defendants’ greed led them to concoct an illegal-marriage scheme that compromises the integrity of our immigration system,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly Hayes. “This indictment sends a clear message: the U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with our law enforcement partners, will relentlessly pursue and hold accountable those who try to exploit our immigration system through fraud and deception.”
In April 2022, HSI Maryland’s Document and Benefit Fraud/El Dorado Task Force with assistance from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Office of Fraud Detection and National Security began investigating individuals suspected of entering sham marriages with foreign nationals in order to obtain immigration benefits. As of result of interviews with FDNS officers, U.S. citizen petitioners admitted to their participation in the fraud scheme and to receiving financial compensation.
“Some marriages are made in heaven. Some are just made up,” said USCIS Spokesperson Matthew Tragesser. “Our work with ICE crushed a marriage fraud ring where U.S. citizens were paid to marry aliens. Under Secretary Noem, fraudsters are walking out in handcuffs. Buying a spouse doesn’t make you a citizen.”
In March 2025, HSI Maryland successfully charged and arrested Zuran, Sigal and Tkach who orchestrated fraudulent marriage schemes to help foreign nationals obtain permanent residence in the United States. The individuals were paid thousands of dollars for facilitating introductions to U.S. citizens and coordinating sham weddings. In addition, they arranged for the preparation of false immigration forms, including fake health status attestations, in connection with applications for immigration benefits.
In addition to these individuals, HSI Maryland arrested Shawnta Hopper. Hopper encouraged several U.S. citizens to participate in fraudulent marriages with foreign nationals for financial gain. She received compensation for recruiting women in Baltimore and other locations to enter into these sham marriages.
If convicted, the defendants face up to five years in federal prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
READ MORE from ICE.gov.
ICE @HSIBaltimore operation leads to indictment of 4 charged with conspiracy to commit visa and marriage fraud
Link: https://t.co/mYeWmyRQRp pic.twitter.com/b4sSHW7gzQ
— HSI Baltimore (@HSIBaltimore) April 28, 2025
HSI Baltimore announced: “Today, HSI Maryland Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy announced the indictment of four individuals involved in a large-scale marriage fraud ring. HSI Maryland is grateful for the collaborative efforts of @USAO_MD, @USCIS, and @StateDeptDSS in this investigation.”
WATCH:
Today, HSI Maryland Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy announced the indictment of four individuals involved in a large-scale marriage fraud ring. HSI Maryland is grateful for the collaborative efforts of @USAO_MD, @USCIS, and @StateDeptDSS in this investigation. pic.twitter.com/Oj3UEkQfiT
— HSI Baltimore (@HSIBaltimore) April 25, 2025
WATCH the video report below for more details on the scheme:
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