Las Vegas Woman Sentenced for Marriage Fraud

A judge ordered Jiaying Chen to serve nearly a year in jail for marrying five men to fund a gambling addiction.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Financial Crime

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing two gold wedding rings on a dark stone surface, evoking a sense of solemnity and legal finality. — A Las Vegas judge sentenced Jiaying Chen to nearly one year in jail on Wednesday for a marriage fraud scheme used to fund a gambling addiction. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Jiaying Chen received a sentence of nearly one year in the Clark County Detention Center after pleading guilty to bigamy and attempted fraud. The court also ordered the 33-year-old to serve two years of probation and pay over $280,000 in restitution.

Why it matters

The sentencing addresses a complex scheme involving forged identification and multiple marriage applications used to secure funds for gambling. The judge included mandatory addiction counseling to target the underlying behavior that fueled the crimes.

Judge Crystal Eller ordered Chen to serve nearly one year in the Clark County Detention Center followed by two years of probation. The court also suspended a prison sentence of eight to 20 years, contingent on compliance with terms including restitution.

The players

Jiaying Chen

She is the 33-year-old defendant who pleaded guilty to bigamy and attempted fraud after marrying five men.

Crystal Eller

She is the judge presiding over the court case in Clark County who issued the sentence and restitution orders.

The details

Chen, who also went by the alias Vicky Liang, used forged U.S. passports and Nevada driver's licenses to enter into marriages with five different men. She funneled the obtained funds into gambling activities before her arrest during the summer of 2026.

Chen married five men throughout 2026.
The defendant reached a plea deal in July 2026.
Judge Crystal Eller sentenced Chen on October 6, 2026.

Legal Context

This case follows a pattern of heightened scrutiny regarding marriage fraud schemes documented in the 2026 Clark County bigamy prosecutions. The proceedings reflect a growing focus on the intersection of identity theft and financial crime within the local judiciary.

The case highlights the importance of identity security for residents as the court processes complex fraud charges involving forged official documents. Local businesses and individuals should remain vigilant regarding the authenticity of identification presented in personal and financial matters.

The takeaway

The court's decision to mandate gambling addiction counseling highlights the rehabilitative aspect of this sentencing. The defendant plans to seek employment in the restaurant industry in Florida following her release.