Six arrested for running marriage fraud ring in Massachusetts

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 19:38 · Archive

Federal authorities have arrested six people for allegedly running a decade-long marriage fraud scheme in Massachusetts that involved as many as 20 sham ceremonies.

Federal prosecutors have dismantled a marriage fraud ring in Massachusetts that allegedly conducted as many as 20 bogus ceremonies over the past decade to help immigrants obtain legal status. Six people have been arrested, including the alleged ringleader Jennifer Gonzalez. The ceremonies were designed to appear legitimate, with wedding rings exchanged and photographs of smiling couples, but authorities allege they were part of an elaborate for-profit scheme.

The five co-defendants were allegedly paid by Gonzalez to take part in the marriages, with several participating in multiple nuptials. Each marriage cost an immigrant between £38,000 and £40,000. All six face charges including marriage fraud, conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, conspiracy to harbour illegal aliens and harbouring illegal aliens.

Five of the six were arrested on Wednesday morning and were expected to appear in federal court the same day. The sixth defendant is currently serving a sentence for a firearms crime in state prison. U.S. Attorney Leah Foley stated that the scheme represented an affront to those who follow immigration laws, describing it as a for-profit business designed to help people "cheat and skip the line" by payment.

How it is being reported

• 6 people have been arrested for allegedly running a marriage fraud ring, federal authorities sayFederal prosecutors announced they have broken up a fraudulent marriage ring in Massachusetts that conducted dozens of bogus ceremonies with immigrants over the past decade and netted participant millions of dollars.News4Jax · 21 Oct, 19:08
• 6 people have been arrested for allegedly running a marriage fraud ring, federal authorities sayFederal prosecutors announced they have broken up a fraudulent marriage ring in Massachusetts that conducted dozens of bogus ceremonies with immigrants over the past decade and netted participant millions of dollars.Clickorlando · 21 Oct, 19:08

In this story: Jennifer Gonzalez · Leah Foley · Massachusetts · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

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