Eleven New Yorkers have been arrested and charged in connection with what federal prosecutors describe as one of the largest alleged fake marriage schemes uncovered in the United States, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors allege the group arranged more than 1,000 fraudulent marriages over the past decade to help foreign nationals obtain legal immigration status.

Some foreign nationals paid as much as $100,000 to participate in the scheme, while U.S. citizens were allegedly paid up to $30,000 to enter into sham marriages.

The group involves people from Brooklyn, Staten Island, Peekskill and Ossining.

Prosecutors say the operation began about 10 years ago and facilitated marriages that were allegedly used to support immigration applications.

All 11 defendants have been charged with conspiracy.