Americans are allegedly being offered thousands of dollars to marry strangers. Here’s the financial risk they may not realize

For around a decade, scheme facilitators allegedly sought out foreign-national customers — primarily from China — while recruiters found willing U.S. citizens, and arranged their marriages. There were even more people contributing to the scheme, such as assistants who filed the appropriate paperwork, marriage officiants, tax preparers and more. Eleven people have been arrested for allegedly participating in the scheme, and the allegations have not been proven in court.

How much the alleged schemers made

The U.S. citizens that agreed to marry foreign nationals were allegedly paid as much as $30,000, and recruiters got approximately $5,000 for each citizen recruited, according to the United State’s Attorney’s Office.

All in all, “Based on the scale and duration of the scheme, the defendants’ network is believed to have collected tens of millions of dollars from foreign nationals seeking lawful permanent resident status” the Attorney’s Office reported in a press release.

Authorities believe the network of schemers arranged more than 1,000 sham weddings.

What could a sham marriage cost you?

While $30,000 to marry a stranger simply for the sake of paperwork might seem like easy money, especially if you don’t have an interest in getting married to someone you actually do know in the near future, it could cost you a lot in the end. These arrests are taking place amid a continuing, bloody crackdown on both legal and illegal immigration in the United States.

As a U.S. citizen, participating in a sham marriage could lead to criminal charges, imprisonment and fines. The fine for immigration-related marriage fraud is up to $250,000 and carries a penalty of up to five years in prison. The charge could also go on your permanent criminal record and barr you from job opportunities and travel down the line.