A man has been arrested and accused of running a fake division of the US army in California, recruiting more than 100 Chinese immigrants in an elaborate scam.

Prosecutors say Yupeng Deng, 51, charged the men up to $450 (£275) each to join his "Special Forces Reserve Unit", telling them it would help them gain US citizenship.

Deng provided his recruits with phoney uniforms, ID cards, documents and gave himself the title of "Supreme Commander".

They were also allegedly told they could increase their rank in the unit by making cash donations, and were taken on a tour of a military museum in San Diego.

Deng, who also goes by the name David, is charged with 13 counts of obtaining money, labour or property under