Four people indicted in 'sophisticated marriage fraud operation'

In April 2025, federal authorities dismantled a sophisticated marriage fraud operation spanning multiple states, resulting in the indictment of four individuals: Ella Zuran, 65; Tatiana Sigal, 74; and Alexandra Tkach, 41, all from New York City; along with Shawnta Hopper, 33, of Sicklerville, New Jersey. The investigation, dubbed "Operation Bargain Brides," was led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Maryland, in collaboration with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. 

The scheme, according to federal investigators, was methodically organized and executed over several years. It involved more than 100 fraudulent marriages arranged between U.S. citizens and foreign nationals who had no legitimate basis to remain in the country. The operation extended across multiple states and was structured to mimic the appearance of legal marital relationships. The defendants not only recruited American citizens willing to enter into these sham unions but also coached them on how to pass immigration interviews and inspections. In many cases, the marriages were staged with wedding photos, fabricated joint leases, and falsified health or financial documents intended to convince immigration officers of the marriage’s authenticity.

Each arranged marriage reportedly cost between $20,000 and $40,000, with the organizers taking a significant share of the payment while the remainder was split between the U.S. citizen participants and other facilitators. The funds were typically paid in installments, tied to key milestones in the immigration process, such as the approval of initial petitions or completion of biometric screenings. Evidence presented in court filings revealed that the network also employed notaries and document forgers to prepare and submit fraudulent paperwork to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Some documents included fake medical records to justify expedited processing or exemptions from standard procedures.

On April 24, 2025, in addition to the four indicted ringleaders, immigration enforcement officers conducted a coordinated operation that led to the administrative arrest of ten foreign nationals whose permanent residency status had been fraudulently obtained. These individuals now face removal proceedings, and their previously granted immigration benefits have been revoked. Authorities believe that many more individuals were involved in the scheme, both as beneficiaries and as U.S. citizens who knowingly participated in exchange for financial gain.

Investigators estimate that the criminal enterprise generated roughly $4 million in illicit revenue, much of which was funneled through shell companies and cash-based transfers to avoid detection. The Department of Homeland Security has committed additional resources to tracing the financial trail and uncovering any additional facilitators, including immigration consultants, attorneys, or notaries who may have been complicit.

Officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Justice warned that marriage fraud is not a victimless crime. It undermines the credibility of the immigration system, drains agency resources that could be used for legitimate applicants, and can create long-term legal complications for U.S. citizens who participate in these scams. Prosecutors have indicated that if convicted, the main defendants face up to five years in federal prison, fines, and potential asset forfeiture. They also reiterated that the investigation remains ongoing and additional indictments are expected. This case serves as a reminder of the government’s increased focus on immigration-related fraud and its intent to hold both organizers and participants accountable.

The case underscores the commitment of federal agencies to detect and dismantle fraudulent schemes that exploit immigration laws, ensuring that the process remains fair and lawful for all applicants.

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