05:33 PM CDT on Tuesday, May 23, 2006

By Jeff McShan / 11 News

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11 News has learned that FBI agents and local police arrested a South Texas woman Tuesday who allegedly crushed the hopes of many couples hoping to adopt a baby.

KHOU-TV

Belinda Ramirez

Belinda Ramirez allegedly met people on the Internet and told them she was pregnant and willing to give them her child for adoption.

Investigators said it was nothing but a scam.

FBI agents picked up the 24-year-old woman in her hometown of Alice, near Corpus Christi.

She was charged with wire and mail fraud.

"Based upon what we've seen, she was pretty good at it," said Special Agent Albert Holl.

Agents say Ramirez made money by taking advantage of people who were desperate for a baby.

The victims included couples in at least seven states, including Carolyn Kady and her husband in Colorado.

"This is the baby's room that we never finished. We never had a reason to finish it yet," said Kady.

FBI investigators say Ramirez sent pictures of a young pregnant girl to the couples and claimed they were her. She would cultivate a friendship with them and then ask for money or gift casrds.

The couples often complied.

Lynne Banks is an adoption expert who counsels couples across the country.

"You can be the most intelligent person but when you have your heart involved and your emotions are running really high you can be scammed," warned Banks.

Ramirez was even heard admitting off camera as she walked to the car in her handcuffs that she had quote "scammed" a lot of people.

"I would just say that you really must make sure you are dealing with a good adoption agency," said Holl. "If you are not meeting someone face to face and all your interaction is through the Internet and through the telephone, I mean you really kind of have to know the person you are dealing with."