Las Vegas Woman Pleads Guilty to Bigamy, Fraud Scheme

A Las Vegas woman has pleaded guilty to bigamy and fraud after authorities said she married 14 men to fund a gambling habit. Jiaying Chen, 33, entered her plea in Las Vegas Justice Court on July 7, 2026. Chen admitted to one count of bigamy and one count of obtaining money under false pretenses exceeding $100,000. Investigators say Chen met her victims on social media and moved quickly toward marriage. She then asked each husband for large sums, claiming a relative in China was seriously ill. Chen is scheduled for sentencing on August 20, 2026.

Victims Report Losses from $20K to $40K Each

Police say Chen collected money from her husbands under false pretenses, then cut off contact once the funds arrived. One victim gave her $40,000, while others reported losses of $30,000, $23,000, and $20,000. A separate victim said he handed over $30,000 after the couple discussed saving for a house, before Chen disappeared. Some victims later sought annulments. Others learned they remained legally married to Chen. Investigators found Chen submitted 14 marriage applications to the Clark County Marriage License Bureau between 2019 and 2025, resulting in seven marriage certificates.

Casino Records Show $300K in Gambling Losses at Wynn

Casino records showed Chen lost more than $300,000 gambling at Wynn Las Vegas in a single year.

Investigators concluded the money never reached family overseas and went straight to the casino floor instead.

One victim told police he gave Chen $23,000 shortly after their wedding, believing it covered a family medical emergency. Prosecutors said the guilty plea agreement allows victims to pursue restitution for their losses.

Chen Skips Court, Resurfaces with Fake IDs

Chen was first arrested in 2024 but failed to appear in court after posting bond. She disappeared before authorities located her again last month, still in Las Vegas. Chen was using the alias Vicky Liang and had already resumed the scheme under her new identity. That second phase involved eight more marriage license applications, producing seven additional certificates. Officers also found a fraudulent passport and a fraudulent Nevada driver's license during the arrest. Chen now awaits sentencing in Clark County District Court.