James Hapurona and Leanne Greenwood, a couple from Helensville, were recently victimised by a surrogacy scam. The two had been desperate trying to have a baby when they came into contact with Audrey Magallon, a 31-year-old American woman advertising her surrogacy services online.

Ms. Magallon, who lives in Astoria, Oregon, had reportedly scammed two couples, convincing them to send sperms and money in exchange for her services as a surrogate mother. Mr. Hapurona and Ms. Greenwood reported having sent over $2,650 (US$2,000) to their scammer. Ms. Magallon, a mother of four, then pretended to be pregnant, supporting her claims with doctored images of positive pregnancy tests and copies of ultrasounds from her previous pregnancies.

The Helensville couple stated that they had been “desperate and extremely vulnerable”, which had been exploited by Ms. Magallon. They reported that their dreams of having a child had been “totally shattered”.

Ms. Magallon pleaded guilty to five criminal charges, which include theft and computer fraud. She was been sentenced to 20 days in prison and two years’ probation. She will also pay $12,800 (US$10,000) in damages to her victims. Her own children were taken away by the state of Oregon because of the trial. Her attorney has claimed that she requires treatment for “unresolved trauma from her childhood”.