Eleven people were charged in the United States over an alleged network that connected people seeking green cards with U.S. citizens through sham marriages. The operation allegedly lasted about 10 years and arranged more than 1,000 sham marriages, most involving Chinese nationals.
U.S. citizens who joined the network were allegedly paid up to $30,000 for each marriage. Some couples allegedly took photos to make their marriages appear genuine and wore wedding attire at sham ceremonies.

Couples were allegedly coached before immigration interviews to present their marriages as genuine relationships. The network also allegedly included at least 14 active-duty U.S. Army soldiers serving in Kentucky.
Authorities estimated that the operation generated tens of millions of dollars in revenue. U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald described it as one of the largest sham-marriage networks ever targeted with charges in the United States.