Houston Woman Pleads Guilty in Massive Marriage Fraud Case

A Houston, Texas woman accused by federal prosecutors of an international marriage fraud scheme pleaded guilty Thursday, according to ABC News.

Ashley Yen Nguyen pleaded guilty on five counts, including marriage fraud, mail fraud, immigration fraud, money laundering, and making false statements in a tax return. Prosecutors said 96 people were charged for the scheme, which was masterminded by Nguyen.

U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick’s office said that Nguyen admitted to arranging at least 40 sham marriages in order to allow foreigners to obtain a U.S. green card.

“These arrests mark the culmination of a comprehensive year-long multi-agency investigation into one of the largest alleged marriage fraud conspiracies ever documented in the Houston area,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. “By working together with our partners from various federal law enforcement agencies, we have sent a resounding message that we are united in our effort to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations that seek to circumvent U.S. law by fraudulent means.”

Nguyen faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

See the full story at ABC 13 News in Houston.