Hope Turned Into Fraud: Delhi Police Arrest Two in Online Child Adoption Racket

The Delhi Police have busted an online child adoption fraud racket that allegedly cheated prospective adoptive parents by posing as facilitators of legal adoptions. Two men were arrested from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, in connection with the case, highlighting the growing threat of cyber-enabled crimes targeting vulnerable families.

The case came to light after a 30-year-old woman from Delhi's Burari reported being cheated of ₹1.37 lakh while trying to adopt a child. According to police, she had searched online for adoption services and contacted a man identifying himself as Sachin, who claimed to represent an organisation facilitating legal child adoptions.

The accused allegedly promised to arrange the adoption of a baby boy and collected money in stages, including registration, booking, documentation and transportation charges. To make the process appear genuine, they sent forged NGO receipts, fake ultrasound reports and fabricated medical documents. The woman became suspicious when the accused repeatedly refused to arrange a meeting with the biological mother and later stopped responding after receiving the money.

Following her complaint through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, an e-FIR was registered and investigators analysed bank accounts, IP logs, call records, IMEI data and digital trails, tracking nearly 100 mobile numbers before tracing the suspects.

During coordinated raids on July 31, police arrested Sachin (46) and Rakesh (52). They recovered mobile phones, SIM cards, bank documents, debit cards, PAN cards and 14 forged hospital and doctor stamps. The seized devices are being examined to identify more victims and possible links to similar frauds.

Police said the accused advertised fake legal adoption services online, collected payments under fabricated charges and disappeared after receiving the money. The case underscores the increasing sophistication of cyber frauds exploiting families seeking to adopt children. Authorities have urged citizens to verify adoption agencies through authorised government channels and avoid making payments without confirming their legal credentials.