- Report: #820831
Complaint Review: Vanholtt Law Chambers - Douala Select State/Province
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Vanholtt Law Chambers
Bonaberi Douala 00237 Cameroon Douala, 00237 Select State/Province, United States of America
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+237797396410
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Vanholtt Law Chambers Ako Fidelis Akem Adoption of baby Cintia, money taken, baby custody release refused, want more money! Douala, Other
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My husband and I placed an adoption add with OPTS. We were contacted by a lady named Irene Asobo (is on here email) Morgan (is on the adoption papers), who wanted us to adopt her 5 month old daughter Cintia, as she could no longer provide for her needs and wanted her to have a life full of opportunities. At first we were shocked, elated, scared. She wanted us to contact her lawyer and deal with him for all the paperwork. Which we did.
Ako Fidelis Akem, represnting Vanholtt Law Chambers, was the lawyer, or man we spoke too, straight away he wanted $1800 USD via Western Union to pay the court fees, adoption papers, birth certificate and pass port. We didn't want to pay anything until it was official, we said we would come to Douala Cameroon to personally do the paperwork, then pay him. For our own safety he advised againts this, and siad that it was quicker and easier for us to stay in Australia and he could do all the official paperwork for us.
Apparently the adoption papers were filed and signed by Justice Nico Halle, on the 24th of December 2010, at the Judicial Circuit High Court, Family Division, Douala. After many request for authentic paperwork, I received the four pages of signed documents for Cintias Adoption into our custody. The 'Lawyer' then wanted another $700 USD to cover Irene's fees to him before he would release the paperwork to her, so she could release Cintia into our custody.
They said that Cintia was on her way, gave us flight details, I was concerned as there was no flight passenger number, and due to confidentiality, could not get any information, but had to do the five hour drive to the airport, incase they were telling the truth and did actually send her. We waited for hours, not wanting to leave incase she was stuck in customs. Finally I reached the 'lawyer' on the phone and was told that Cintia had not been put on her flight due to not enough money to cover her escort fee. That they needed another $500 USD ($400 for the escort and $100 for flight rebooking fines). I was so mad, that they had not told us straight away, his relpy was that Irene was scared of me.
Stupidly and reluctantly we paid the $500 and again like each other time, we did not hear from them for a couple of days and could not get past the answering machine. So now, we are at the point were Irene will not send Cintia until she has been paid $400USD as 'appreciation' for Cintia. I have informed her that I cannot pay for appreciation for something that I have not received, I will gladly upon Cintia's safe arrival to Australia.
I do not know if this is a scam, or if it is legitimate and they are being greedy. I have tried to find the Douala Court, to ring them and verify, but can find nothing. I would appreciate any help in finding out if Cintia is real, is actually in our custody, if this is not a scam, if these people are real, and if so will gladly go to Douala to complete the adoption and bring her home. If this is a scam then I will glady help the law, in any way to prosecute these people for the cruel emotional ordeal that they have put us through. There is also more emails and phone numbers other than the ones listed.
Please help.
Ako Fidelis Akem, represnting Vanholtt Law Chambers, was the lawyer, or man we spoke too, straight away he wanted $1800 USD via Western Union to pay the court fees, adoption papers, birth certificate and pass port. We didn't want to pay anything until it was official, we said we would come to Douala Cameroon to personally do the paperwork, then pay him. For our own safety he advised againts this, and siad that it was quicker and easier for us to stay in Australia and he could do all the official paperwork for us.
Apparently the adoption papers were filed and signed by Justice Nico Halle, on the 24th of December 2010, at the Judicial Circuit High Court, Family Division, Douala. After many request for authentic paperwork, I received the four pages of signed documents for Cintias Adoption into our custody. The 'Lawyer' then wanted another $700 USD to cover Irene's fees to him before he would release the paperwork to her, so she could release Cintia into our custody.
They said that Cintia was on her way, gave us flight details, I was concerned as there was no flight passenger number, and due to confidentiality, could not get any information, but had to do the five hour drive to the airport, incase they were telling the truth and did actually send her. We waited for hours, not wanting to leave incase she was stuck in customs. Finally I reached the 'lawyer' on the phone and was told that Cintia had not been put on her flight due to not enough money to cover her escort fee. That they needed another $500 USD ($400 for the escort and $100 for flight rebooking fines). I was so mad, that they had not told us straight away, his relpy was that Irene was scared of me.
Stupidly and reluctantly we paid the $500 and again like each other time, we did not hear from them for a couple of days and could not get past the answering machine. So now, we are at the point were Irene will not send Cintia until she has been paid $400USD as 'appreciation' for Cintia. I have informed her that I cannot pay for appreciation for something that I have not received, I will gladly upon Cintia's safe arrival to Australia.
I do not know if this is a scam, or if it is legitimate and they are being greedy. I have tried to find the Douala Court, to ring them and verify, but can find nothing. I would appreciate any help in finding out if Cintia is real, is actually in our custody, if this is not a scam, if these people are real, and if so will gladly go to Douala to complete the adoption and bring her home. If this is a scam then I will glady help the law, in any way to prosecute these people for the cruel emotional ordeal that they have put us through. There is also more emails and phone numbers other than the ones listed.
Please help.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
mcl9017
Texas,United States of America
The same baby is for adoption again but is only 4 months now?
#2Consumer Comment
Fri, August 24, 2012
When I came across a post of a woman needing to find a home for her 4 month old "Indian" Daughter, I responded ASAP. I woke up the next morning to find an email response with attached pictures. I saved one of the pictures and did a google picture search. That is how I found your page. I will copy and paste the email for you to see. She had also sent me five pictures. One of which, like i said, were used when google image searching. I thought something was fishy just by the email. She said she is an "Indian" Mom, but her name is "Lauren" and daughters name is "Tessy". And the rest, well . . . you can see yourself.
I am not sure if my responce can help you in any way. If so, I would be happy to. If not, just know your report saved this from happening to someone else.
Below is the email I recieved.
lauren kylie [email protected] 7:04 AM (3 hours ago)
to me
thanks for getting back to me,i am call Lauren and 23yrs old girl from New Delhi and i am a mom to
a 4 months old baby girl whom i consider an angel.i am suffering from a broken hearted relationship after my ex boyfriend denied this baby while she was still in my womb and i had no where to turn to.i had this baby with a
guy from UK who came to India for work.i came across a friend who works as a peace-cop in Ukraine and she
brought me to Ukraine where i presently live right now as i am an orphan and my only family now is my baby and i cannot take care of this baby like i use to dream of when i was pregnant.her education when she gets ready for that is my greatest problem right now.i do not know what to do at this moment but i want to give her to a very loving and caring family that will take good care and give her the best she deserves in life my dear.please do get back to me if you will wish well for this baby and will love to call her yours.the only issue i had here was the distance but
i have been talking to an attorney who has given me an insight of how the whole process will work or better-still the baby can be flown to meet you .
get back to me and below are some pics of my baby Tessy
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Steve
USAThis is ABSOLUTELY as scam; the baby does not exist!
#3Consumer Comment
Fri, January 27, 2012
Do not send ANY more money, and do not answer any more of their emails/ calls. This type of thing is a very common scam, done with babies, pets, lotto winnings, etc. They always use Western Union (untraceable).
The only thing I can give them credit for is that they discouraged you from showing up personally. Some victims of this scam (known as advance-fee scams, or 419 scams) have shown up, only to be taken hostage. Some have even been killed!
I know it sucks, and I'm really sorry you had to go through this. But you have cut your losses, and there are many that have lost much more than you have to this scam. Just consider it one of the crappy bumps in the road of life.
