There are countless “adoption horror stories” out there that can dissuade prospective parents from adopting. One reason for this darker side of the adoption world is the presence of scammers, con artists, and others who abuse the system as well as individual people and children for their own personal gain.
To reduce or prevent adoption scams, there are lengthy and complex processes involved with adopting a child. In many situations, the scam might involve the birth mother-to-be, the adoptive parents, or even the adoption professionals, and it is important to remain diligent and look out for signs of a scam. On the other hand, if you’ve been charged with fraud or you’re under investigation for an alleged adoption scam, you need to contact the leading Michigan federal defense attorneys to defend your case in federal or state court. Call our criminal defense law office today at 1-800-342-7896.
Many states do not have specific laws regarding adoption fraud or various adoption scams. Nonetheless, many states will pursue these scammers and charge them with theft by deceit, which can result in decades of imprisonment, if convicted. The purpose of the “fake” adoption is to swindle money out of people by preying on their emotions and hopes for a child.
In Michigan, the most common types of adoption include infant adoptions, state and court ward adoptions, relative adoptions, stepparent adoptions, inter country and interstate adoptions, and adult adoptions. Each of these types of adoption holds potential for various scams, and it is, therefore, quite difficult to create an all-inclusive law regarding adoption fraud.
Adoption fraud is not easy to spot, which is why it can be an attractive option for con artists and scammers. At the same time, scammers often leave many clues that could indicate that something untruthful or illegal is happening. First of all, hopeful parents-to-be should be wary of some of the following red flags:
Unfortunately, when parents are getting ready to adopt, they often have a lot on their minds and can easily miss some of these red flags. Therefore, it can help to look at specific examples of adoption scams:
Adoptions can often be emotionally and financially tense situations, and it is important to have an attorney present throughout the adoption process. However, things can go wrong during the adoption, and in some cases, a person may have been acting in good faith and never intended to scam or commit fraud.
If you discover that you’re under investigation or you were arrested for theft by deception, you need to contact a prominent criminal defense lawyer with experience in adoption scams. If found guilty, you could face years behind bars and massive fines. At Grabel & Associates, we ensure a full-service legal defense that reviews and investigates every aspect of the case. We also guarantee that your interests and claims will be put at the forefront of our defense strategy.
Our main goal is to prove your innocence or, if the evidence is truly stacked against you, seek reduced or alternative sentencing. Some of our strategies in the courtroom may include:
Facing the prospect of years imprisonment for fraud can be terrifying, and you should always contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. We offer free, confidential consultations regarding your case. Call us today at 1-800-342-7896.