On 17 November 2017, the Moscow Region Directorate of the Investigative Committee received from the police a file on a 32-year-old woman who wanted to sell her future baby. Following a check, the Directorate has opened an investigation in attempted human trafficking under Part 3 of Article 30, Part 2, item “b” of Article 127.1 of the RF Criminal Code.
According to investigators, the 32-year-old pregnant woman replied to an offer she got via a social networking website to sell her baby. On the phone the woman explained that wanted to sell her future baby because she had no money and was ready to sell the baby for 300 thousand rubles, 100 thousand of which she wanted to get in advance and the rest upon giving birth to the baby. On 17 November 2017, the woman was detained upon receiving 70 thousand rubles from the buyers. According to the suspect, she didn’t want to sell the baby, but just wanted to get the advance to pay off her debts and then she would give the money back to the buyer explaining that she changed her mind.
At present, investigative operations are underway to find out all the circumstances of the incident. The investigation continues.
As mass media have been reporting similar crimes committed in different regions of Russia, the Investigative Committee addresses those planning to sell yet unborn babies: human trafficking is punishable by up to 15 years in prison under the Russian laws.
We would also like to warn journalists who conduct their own investigations: do not act as if you were law-enforcers in such situations. Your duty as a citizen and a human being is to report all the information you have to competent authorities, otherwise you risk to become part of the crime whether you want it or not.
Investigators also ask all witnesses and those who know anything about similar crimes to give out this information (the Investigative Committee has a toll free telephone line A Child in Danger - 8 (800) 200-19-10). The Investigative Committee has successful experience of solving crimes thanks to joint efforts of law enforcers, journalists and volunteers. By joining our efforts, we can fight not only crimes committed against helpless children and their consequences, but to prevent them as well.
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