The union of convenience was billed 23,000 euros on average: six members of an organization of sham marriages, suspected of having arranged several hundred false weddings in France, were indicted on Friday February 19, according to sources close to the 'investigation.
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The structure, based in the Ardennes, was headed by a woman, "
a super wedding planner
", who was remanded in custody as part of a judicial investigation opened by the Charleville-Mézières prosecutor's office, this source said. .
The others indicted, including members of his family, were placed under judicial supervision.
"
Between 25 and 30 white marriages were organized per year, in the Ardennes, the Marne and in the Paris region
", explained the source close to the investigation.
In total, the gendarmes of the research section of Reims suspect the group of having organized “
several hundred
” fraudulent unions, but were only able to retain 88 suspicious marriages over the non-prescribed period, between 2016 and 2021. On the 23,000 euros invoiced to the foreign national, the organizer pocketed 13,000 euros and the false French husband 8,000. To this was added the cost of the false documents to be provided, delivered in kits, to prove the alleged community of life, such as false invoices phone.
During the searches, 13,000 euros in cash were seized, as well as wedding dresses.
"
These white marriages were aimed at obtaining residence permits, to benefit from protection against an expulsion measure or simply to acquire French nationality
", detailed the close source.
The various prefectures concerned have been informed so that they can launch procedures for canceling unions.