ScrambledEggs

By Lizzy Mann and Jackson Littlejohn
 * Adoption Fraud**

__**Introduction**__

Adoption fraud is the failure on the part of an agency or a worker to disclose known information, or information that should be known, about a child to the prospective adoptive parents. Adoption Fraud is a problem afflicting nations all over the globe and can contribute to child trafficking as well.

__**Proof of Adoption Fraud**__

Adoption Fraud is a problem afflicting nations all over the globe and can contribute to child trafficking as well. Cases involving countries such as India, Ethiopia, and even The United States. Private Adoption is largely unregulated due to differing laws regarding adoption in separate countries. A couple in Minnesota fell victim to adoption fraud when they made arrangements to adopt two sisters from India. The agency that the couple had gone through had falsified documentation in regards to the girls' age. The claim was made that they were 12 and 15 when in reality they were 16 and 21, beyond the age limit for adoption according to Indian adoption law. The Christian World Adoption agency had been found to have paid parents in Ethiopia for their children. Representatives of Christian World Adoption or "CWA" were shown going into small poor villages and telling parents that if they wanted their child to be adopted by a better off american family to stay and speak with them. Occurrences of adoption fraud have been recorded between two american families as well. Cases in the state of California are especially difficult to combat due to strict Californian law concerning child care. Hiring a lawyer and going to court over the issue would take many resources and large sums of money and in accordance with Californian law, a parent without sufficient means to provide the necessary care for a child must relinquish custody of said child to the state as well as visitation during the period of foster care before transition to a new home .

Adoption fraud is difficult to place a single cause on. Sometimes, like you've just seen, it's the fault of the agency. This is a very common way for a scam to be carried out. The adoption agency is a very organized group who is able to convince parents of their pure intentions, and then strike right before the adoption can be finalized. The strike is usually by the child being uneligible for adoption, or even not existing in the first place. Most agencies though will lie about it, coming up with a complex excuse they've probably used before about how the parents are just not the right fit for the child. Other times, the adoption agency will simply abandon the parents and cut off all contact with them. Rarely,if ever, will they be up front about their scam. Another common form of adoption fraud is the Birthmother Scam. This is when a birthmother carries the baby, asks for financial aid the entire time she is pregnant for things like money for food, rent, and medical expenses, and then keeps the baby for herself, assuming she was actually pregnant in the first place. This is the most recognized form of adoption fraud in society, appearing in movies such as //Baby Mama// and //Juno.// The worst part about this type of fraud is that if the woman was indeed pregnant and decides at the last minute to keep the baby, lawmakers are left helpless. This is one advantage of working with an adoption agency, although everything has it's risks. If one decide an agency is not right for them, they may want to make sure they have a good lawyer to help with the adoption process so that there are no grey lines between biological and adoptive parents. ("Scams.") media type="youtube" key="erKCP5EVVmo" height="344" width="425" http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/02/15/cbsnews_investigates/main6210911.shtml?tag=mncol;lst;1
 * __Causes of Adoption Fraud__**

Unlike most global crimes, an adoption scam hurts more than just the person being scammed, be it birthmother or adoptive mother. A child is also put into this position; a child who could have gotten a loving home. This incredibly selfish act also places financial burdens on the would-be adoptive mothers, as well as a heartbreak beyond anything a cold-hearted scam artist could imagine. Children are left to orphanages, where they can only stay up to age 18, and even in their teenager years, the chances of being adopted are slim to none. This leads to a hard life for these young adults who may feel as though the world has cast them out, and may lead to an increased rate of suicide, or what some may prefer to call indirect murder.
 * __Effects of Adoption Fraud__**

If you are considering an adoption, there's a few things you need to be on the lookout for before you begin. Here are a few warning signs that something may be up: ("How")
 * __Things To Look Out For__**
 * The adoption agency asks for the enrire fee up front. An adoption agency should only ask you for the application fee at first.
 * You ask for referances from former adoptive parents and they don't give them to you, citing privacy issues.
 * An adoption agency promises that it will take a shorter time than the rest of them to get you your child. Any adoption agency who can give you a specific timetable is not to be trusted.
 * An agency advertises "better", "cuter" children.
 * A birthmother will not send you a pregnancy confirmation.
 * You ask the birthmother for her reasons for giving up the child and she doesn't have an answer right away.
 * A birthmother decides very quickly that you are the right match. She should take time in deciding such an important thing for her child.
 * The birthmother asks for a plane ticket. Adoption scamming birthmothers are notorious for cashing in the plane ticket.


 * __Future if Adoption Fraud is not Stopped__**
 * If this issue is allowed to continue, faith in international adoption will fall further than it already has and millions of orphaned children will be left without homes. In addition, child trafficking may find itself a new foothold in the adoption world and yet another means by which to make money off of people's suffering. Once these children reach the age of 18, they can no longer be held in orphanages or foster care and must be sent out into the world. This insurgence of a largely illiterate group of young adults will greatly increase the crime rates in the respective areas leading to an eventually greater threat to both domestic and national authority. **



Bane, Vickie. "I WANT MY DAUGHTER BACK." People Weekly 21 Sept 2009:93. General Reference Center Gold. Web. 13 Jan. 2010 
 * __Citations__**

Chalek, Michael "Adoptees Deserve the Truth" 24 June 1992. 15 Jan. 2010 [|http://adoption-fraud.com]

"Guest Blog: Don't Get Scammed in Adoption Like I Did | Adoption Under One Roof." //Adoption Under One Roof | Covering Adoption from Every Angle, Every View, for Everyone//. Web. 03 Mar. 2010. .

"How to Spot Scams at Adoption Agencies - Life123." //Life123 - How To Guides for Busy Lifestyles//. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. .

Keteyian, Armen. "Child: U.S Adoption Agency Bought Me." CBS News. 15 Feb 2010. CBS News, Web. 15 Feb 2010. [].

"Scams." //Adoptionscams.com//. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. [].

Shaffer, David. "Minnesota couple caught up in apparent adoption fraud." Star Tribune. 21 Dec 2009. Star Tribune, Web. 21 Feb 2010. . " Adoption Fraud in California" 18 October 2007:Alexander Hawes LLP Library. 15 January 2010 