Filing Claims Against AMREX
Prospective parents who were scammed out of payments while trying to adopt from Russia, Guatemala, or other countries through Atlanta-based adoption facilitator AMREX or related organizations can now take steps to be listed as a claimant and/or to aid in an FBI investigation. Each of the two processes that are in motion require separate action.
If you were financially victimized by adoption facilitator AMREX, here's how to file a claim as a creditor or assist with the FBI investigation:
1. TRYING TO GET MONEY BACK
AMREX recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. To be listed as one of the creditors, and therefore to receive a reimbursement, individuals must file with the court by March 19, 2007. Individuals should contact the attorney handling the case, Rex Cornelison (770-587-0082), to learn how to file. For more information about the case, call the Atlanta bankruptcy automated phone service by dialing 1-800-510-8284; selecting option "2"; then entering case number "0671679."
Families and/or agencies who were victimized by AMREX are not guaranteed reimbursement payments, but must file by the March 20, 2007 deadline in order to be eligible to receive any assets that become available.
2. HELPING WITH A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION BEGUN BY THE FBI.
This will NOT in itself result in getting money back, but this investigation could "out" these particular individuals as serial scammers and prevent them from victimizing any other hopeful adoptive parents or small adoption agencies. There are two different sets of info to provide to the FBI, depending on whether the family was victimized financially pre-placement or post-placement. Agencies who were victimized may also contact the FBI.
A: THOSE WHO ARE SEEKING RETURN OF POST-PLACEMENT FUNDS need to provide this info (not necessarily on this form, but in this order)."We are seeking assistance with the following situation. In [YEAR] we paid [AGENCY NAME] located at [ADDRESS] approximately [DOLLAR AMOUNT]. After [NUMBER OF MONTHS] of promises, we still have received no refunds of monies supposedly held in escrow for Post Placement Reports that would have been submitted to the Russian government.
We have requested refunds from the above agency but we were told it is not refundable. The primary reason we were given is that monies were forwarded to AMREX, a facilitating company in Atlanta, GA.
At the time of contract the agency did not disclose to us that they were not themselves licensed in Russia, creating their need to use AMREX. AMREX is not licensed in Russia, as it is a facilitator and not an adoption agency. Therefore, AMREX must use a Russia-accredited agency to be able to complete an adoption. We have now been told that neither AMREX nor our agency can help us complete an adoption from Russian or refund our money.
We were required to sign gag clauses with the Agency. For this reason we have not come forward until now. AMREX's bankruptcy (Chapter11 in GA case #0671629) is what is bringing us forward now.
[NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[E-MAIL ADDRESS]
[PHONE]"B: THOSE WHO HAVE PAID PLACEMENT FEES BUT HAVE NOT HAD A PLACEMENT need to provide the following info to Agent Barnardas (not necessarily on a form, but in this order):
"We are seeking assistance with the following situation. In [YEAR] we paid [AGENCY NAME] located at [ADDRESS] approximately [DOLLAR AMOUNT]. After [NUMBER OF MONTHS] of promises, we still have not been able to adopt a child.
We have requested refunds from the above agency but we were told it is not refundable. The primary reason we were told our money is non-refundable is because monies were forwarded to AMREX, a facilitating company in Atlanta, GA.
At the time of contract the agency did not disclose to us that they were not themselves licensed in Russia, creating their need to use AMREX. AMREX is not licensed in Russia, as it is a facilitator and not an adoption agency. Therefore Amrex must use a Russia-accredited agency to be able to complete an adoption. We have now been told that neither AMREX nor our agency can help us complete an adoption from Russian or refund our money.
We were required to sign gag clauses with the Agency. For this reason we have not come forward until now. AMREX's bankruptcy (Chapter 11 in GA case #0671629) is what is bringing us forward now.
[NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[E-MAIL ADDRESS]
[PHONE]"C: AGENCIES WHO HAVE THEMSELVES SUFFERED LOSSES (of money or reputation) and/or feel that they were bilked by AMREX should also contact Agent Barnardas, making themselves available to provide as many details from the agency side of this fiasco as they possibly can!
All individuals or agencies, in any of the categories, should mail WRITTEN information to Agent Barnardas (address follows) rather than phone it in. There will be a time for telling full stories, but it is not now. With this basic information, the FBI can begin to decide how to proceed, and will be able to contact you as needed. Send information to:
Barry Barnadas
FBI New Orleans
2901 Leon C. Simon
New Orleans, LA 70126