Belmont Man Arrested in Marriage Fraud Scheme

A Belmont man was arrested on federal charges in connection to an international conspiracy scheme to recruit U.S. Navy sailors to engage in sham marriages to Russian women.

Dmirty Dyugaev, 26, was arrested earlier this week with 16 others, all charged with conspiracy, marriage fraud, false claims, theft of government property, false statements related to naturalization or citizenship or citizenship, and naturalization fraud.

It is not known at this time what was Dyugaev's role in the fraud nor how long he has been a Belmont resident.

"To date, nearly 80 people have been charged with this scheme to pair Navy servicemen with Russian women in fake marriages," said Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. The May 5 indictment, "are a result of our ongoing effort to crack down on allegations of sham marriages in the Navy."

According to the 28-count indictment, the defendants were involved in a broad conspiracy scheme that included recruiting United States Navy personnel to engage in fraudulent marriages with Russian foreign nationals. 

The Navy personnel would file for additional pay from the Navy based on their fake marriages and the foreign nationals would obtain an immigration benefit.   

Some of the defendants made false statements to United States Customs and Immigration Services officers. The indictment also charges a number of defendants with arranging the fraudulent marriages. 

 "Fraudulent marriage schemes undermine the integrity of our immigration system," said John P. Torres, Special Agent in Charge for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Washington, D.C.

"These sham marriages create a vulnerability in which foreign nationals may gain entry to and remain in the United States for employment or more nefarious purposes," he said.