Published on: June 16, 2026, 10:37 AM.

Latest update on: June 16, 2026, 10:41 AM.

• A Las Vegas woman using the alias Vicky Liang has been taken into custody after allegedly marrying at least 14 men since 2019, scamming them out of significant amounts of money.
• This intricate scheme of bigamy and fraud featured rapid relationships followed by immediate demands for substantial cash sums, after which the bride would disappear.
• This case highlights serious systemic flaws within the Clark County Marriage License Bureau, which failed to detect her multiple overlapping marriage applications for years.

A Las Vegas woman allegedly orchestrated a scheme to marry at least 14 men since 2019, with five marriages occurring just this year, and is presently still married to six. These figures, derived from Clark County marriage records and police documentation, have ignited a high-profile case of bigamy and fraud, bringing attention to the alarming shortcomings in the county’s marriage system.

Jiaying Chen, aged 33, was apprehended on June 4 in Las Vegas. According to two arrest documents referenced in court, a total of 14 marriage licenses were issued in Clark County under Chen’s name and her alias, Vicky Liang, between March 2019 and May 2024.

Police reports indicate that Chen’s alleged scheme adhered to a consistent pattern. Victims reported becoming acquainted with Chen via social media. Relationships developed at a rapid pace, with Chen proposing marriage shortly after their initial interactions.

Once a marriage license was secured and the ceremony conducted, authorities say she would then demand significant amounts of money. Many victims recounted that after complying with her requests, Chen severed communication and vanished.

One victim revealed that he handed over $40,000 to Chen, claiming it was for a sick family member in China, a sum he was never reimbursed for. Another individual stated that she asked for $23,000 right after their wedding for a sick relative, only to inform him two weeks later that she no longer wished to be married.

A third victim reported a loss of $20,000, while another individual and his family pooled together roughly $30,000 for a home fund that was given to Chen before she disappeared.

The Liang Investigation

The Clark County Marriage License Bureau played a crucial role in initiating the criminal inquiry. Staff members identified discrepancies and reported Chen to the authorities in 2024, coinciding with the timeframe when some victims began to step forward.

However, the fact that 14 marriage applications, including multiple overlapping marriages, were permitted to process — often utilizing the same alias and fraudulent identification, according to police — has raised serious concerns regarding the monitoring of repeat applicants and whether better safeguards are necessary.

In August 2024, Chen was charged with bigamy and theft exceeding $100,000 but failed to appear for court proceedings, resulting in an outstanding arrest warrant.

Chen’s capture occurred at a Las Vegas restaurant, where police received a tip indicating she was scheduled to meet another man regarding a potential marriage. Upon her apprehension, officers inspected her purse and discovered a U.S. passport and a Nevada driver’s license under the name “Vicky Liang” but featuring Chen’s photograph. Detectives noticed inconsistencies in the documents and later verified that the DMV had no record of a corresponding license.

Chen is facing five felony charges related to bigamy, alongside accusations of theft and forgery. Court records indicate that she is being held at the Clark County Detention Center on a $100,000 bail as investigators continue to scrutinize marriage records and financial transactions for possible additional victims.

Metro and federal officials have opted not to make additional public statements, and county representatives have yet to address how Chen’s numerous applications were processed without earlier intervention.

Chen is scheduled to return to the Las Vegas Justice Court on Monday, June 29, 2026, for a preliminary hearing.