Suspects planned 400 fake weddings in order to get green cards

The officials claimed Thursday that nearly a dozen California individuals were arrested for organising hundreds of “sham weddings” between Americans and aliens who paid to receive green cards as a result of the fraudulent marriages.

According to the Department of Justice, Marcialito “Mars” Biol Benitez, 48, was the suspected mastermind of the Los Angeles “agency” that linked US individuals with foreign national clients and staged weddings complete with prop décor and internet officiants.

Prosecutors said that Benitez and his 10 associates would then submit bogus wedding photos, along with fraudulent paperwork and petitions, to US Citizenship and Immigration Services, and train the newlyweds through interviews with immigration authorities.

Between 2016 and March, the suspects reportedly carried off the fraud at least 400 times, charging customers between $20,000 and $30,000 in cash to plan the racket and pay Americans both an upfront fee to participate and a monthly stipend to keep up appearances, according to officials.

If a client’s new spouse refused to cooperate in the scheme, the suspects would assist them in obtaining green cards under the Abuse Against Women Act by creating domestic violence allegations against them, according to federal authorities.

According to the announcement, the 11 suspects include a mix of men and women aged 24 to 48 who live in and around the Los Angeles region. Six of them, including Benitez, are Filipino nationals, while one is a Brazilian citizen.

Some of the suspects reportedly assisted in the weddings and paperwork, while others allegedly recruited both foreign nationals and US citizens eager to say “I do” for a referral fee.

“Marriage fraud is a serious felony that jeopardises the integrity of our nation’s legitimate immigration system,” said US Attorney Rachael Rollins.

“These defendants’ alleged profiteering from this system is an insult to our nation’s heritage of embracing immigrants and potential citizens.” Their alleged fraudulent activity complicates matters for the great majority of immigrants who follow the law and appreciate our immigration system.”

The accused were charged on Thursday in Massachusetts, where one of their putative customers lives. According to authorities, eight of them were apprehended in California and appeared in federal court.

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