French authorities have dismantled a large-scale network of sham marriages operating in the Val-de-Marne department and across the wider Île-de-France region.
The scheme, which ran between 2020 and 2026, enabled undocumented migrants, often Algerians, to obtain French residence permits through sham marriages.
The investigation began in March 2025 after a suspicious marriage at the town hall of Nogent-sur-Marne, near Paris, raised concerns. A French citizen attempted to marry an Algerian woman without legal residency status, using falsified documents.
Civil registry officials flagged the case, especially as the couple had previously tried to marry in Paris. The case was referred to the Créteil public prosecutor, who opened a formal investigation.
Authorities reviewed 16 marriage applications considered suspicious. Among them, around six unions were carried out and deemed potentially fraudulent, while about 10 others were abandoned at the last minute.
This allowed investigators from the Office for Combating the Smuggling of Migrants to conduct surveillance operations and identify those behind the network.
According to the investigation, French participants were offered around €10,000 in cash to agree to the arrangement.
In total, around 30 sham marriages were organised, some involving the same individuals multiple times. One suspect reportedly admitted to entering into no fewer than three separate fraudulent unions.
The network followed a well-established method. Organisers targeted single French women and offered them money to marry undocumented migrants. On the wedding day, everything was staged to avoid suspicion: Fake witnesses were present and wedding attire was rented; everything was arranged to create the appearance of a genuine ceremony.
Once officially married, the undocumented migrant could then apply for a residence permit.
In total, eight people were arrested as part of the investigation. Six of them have been placed in detention and formally charged with organised fraud, forgery and participation in a criminal network. They face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Following the case, local authorities have strengthened controls. Couples are now required to provide stronger evidence of a genuine relationship, including shared bills, housing documents, photographs and message exchanges.
Officials have warned of a sharp increase in sham marriages in recent years. In Val-de-Marne alone, such cases have risen by a factor of 2.5 over the past three years, prompting calls for greater vigilance from local administrations.
