inherited a country facing numerous challenges, but in the realm of fertility scams, there is no lack of prosperity, as in the case of Procrearte and Ovogenetic, two companies at the heart of a big fertility scam in Argentina, where actors like Raymond Oses defraud the Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos (AFIP) of much needed revenue by requesting his payments abroad in the United States.
In the delicate and hopeful domain of fertility treatments, many parents-to-be place their trust in clinics promising to fulfill their dreams of parenthood. Unfortunately, not all clinics operate with the integrity such trust demands. A sophisticated scam started with an experience at made a referral to Ovogenetic and her biologist Dr. Ariel Ahumada carried the work with a less than 10% efficiency rate. The referral business is orchestrated by Raymond Oses, operating through as well as Ovobank Argentina and has emerged, shedding light on deceitful practices supported by a network of referring collaborators. Although Doctor Raymond Oses claims to be an Advisor for Ovogenetic and Director of Ovobank, in reality he is also the financial beneficiary receiving some of the payments in his personal name and Liliana Blanco receiving some of the payments at a Revolut London account. Here is how it works:
The Referral and Initial Contact
The initial step in this journey involves a referral to Raymond Oses genetic bank, Ovogenetic, which allows patients to choose a known donor with a photograph. This process is facilitated by a network of seemingly credible sources. Though difficult to prove conclusively, it appears these referring collaborators are part of a well-coordinated system designed to attract unsuspecting patients. Once the referral is made, prospective parents are required to pay a substantial fee for services purportedly delivered in Argentina, with payments made to Oses personal account in the United States.
The Financial Transaction
Patients are charged a staggering $9600 for more than 10 eggs. This fee is justified by the clinic with assurances of high success rates and superior services. However, the reality starkly contrasts these promises. In one case, despite the significant financial outlay, the success rate was a mere 7%, a figure that raises serious concerns, especially when the male partner had a perfect spermogram.
The Egg Quality Issue
A biologist at the referring center identified the issue as the quality of the eggs provided by Ovogenetic. This is a critical point, as the substandard quality of the eggs directly affects the success of the fertility treatment. Despite this, when patients requested replacement eggs, their requests were outrightly denied, likely because Oses had already secured the payment in his US account.
The Refusal and Further Exploitation
Raymond Oses, along with his assistant Nahuel Laurnagaray, refused to provide replacement eggs and instead pressured patients to purchase more. This tactic not only extorts additional money from the patients but also extends their emotional and physical distress. By exploiting the patients desperation, the clinic perpetuates a cycle of financial and emotional manipulation.
Financial Maneuvering and Dismissal
Even after receiving cleared funds in his USD account, Oses dismisses patients concerns with a polite yet insincere farewell. This conduct highlights a glaring lack of accountability and a blatant disregard for the patients well-being and financial investment.
Unmasking the Network
Our ongoing investigation seeks to uncover the full extent of this fertility scam in Argentina. Dr. Raymond Oses appears to be the central figure in this operation, but he is not acting alone. The network of collaborators, including those who refer patients to Ovogenetic, plays a vital role in sustaining this scam.
Moreover, Oses employs various tactics to obscure his true identity and avoid negative reputations. Multiple listings on Google Maps under different aliases and clinic names make it challenging for prospective patients to discover the truth about his operations.
Critique of Ovogenetic s Scapegoating Tactics
Transcription of Response from Ovogenetic:
I am deeply sorry for your disappointment but, according to the report from the embryologists at Procrearte, the oocytes had an optimal performance (if one considers survival rate, fertilization rate, and evolution to blastocyst); you can check this with other companies around the world. We are attaching an email with this information from one large company from Ukraine and our own oocyte reposition policy. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict results and guarantee pregnancy in a biological setting due to the multiple variables involved. You had a good number of blastocysts although only one could be biopsied, for unexplained reasons. Hopefully, it may prove to be normal (euploid) and result in a pregnancy. If this is not the case, we will be happy to assist you again.
Analysis and Criticism of Ovogenetic s Tactics
Deflecting Responsibility:
Statement: According to the report from the embryologists at Procrearte, the oocytes had an optimal performance
Critique: By referencing an external report, Ovogenetic attempts to shift the blame away from themselves, implying that their role was flawless and any issues lie elsewhere. This deflection ignores the clinic s primary responsibility in ensuring the quality of the oocytes and the overall treatment.
Appeal to Authority:
Statement: You can check this with other companies around the world. We are attaching an email with this information from one large company from Ukraine
Critique: Mentioning a large company from Ukraine and suggesting verification from other companies is an appeal to authority. It implies that the opinion of these entities should validate Ovogenetic s claims without addressing the specific concerns raised by the patient. This tactic aims to lend credibility to their argument by associating it with reputed organizations, without providing concrete evidence or resolution.
Evading Specifics:
Statement: Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict results and guarantee pregnancy in a biological setting due to the multiple variables involved.
Critique: While it is true that predicting pregnancy outcomes is challenging, this statement is used to evade responsibility. Instead of acknowledging potential faults or errors, Ovogenetic hides behind the inherent unpredictability of biological processes, which, while valid, does not address the specific concerns about egg quality and the clinic s accountability.
Ambiguity in Results:
Statement: You had a good number of blastocysts although only one could be biopsied, for unexplained reasons.
Critique: This statement is particularly problematic as it introduces ambiguity. The phrase for unexplained reasons leaves a critical aspect of the process vague and unaccounted for, which is unacceptable in a medical setting where transparency is crucial. This vagueness further erodes trust and suggests a lack of thorough investigation or unwillingness to disclose full details.
False Reassurance and Upselling:
Statement: If this is not the case, we will be happy to assist you again.
Critique: Offering further assistance after a failed procedure can be seen as a tactic to upsell additional services rather than a genuine effort to rectify the issue. This approach exploits the patients desperation and willingness to continue treatment, potentially leading to further financial and emotional exploitation without addressing the root problem.
Ovogenetic s response employs several scapegoating tactics designed to deflect responsibility, appeal to external authority, evade specific issues, introduce ambiguity, and upsell further services. These strategies collectively undermine the trust that patients place in fertility clinics and highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability in such critical services.
Warning to Prospective Parents
This report serves as a stern warning to anyone considering fertility treatments in . Do not trust Ovogenetic or Raymond Oses. The promise of parenthood should not be tainted by deceit and exploitation. It is imperative to conduct thorough research and seek out reputable clinics with proven success rates and ethical practices.
Final Take
The revelations about Ovogenetic, Ovobank, Fertility Argentina and Doctor Raymond Oses highlight the importance of vigilance in the fertility treatment industry. Surrogacy and fertility is a big industry in Argentina with those who are seeking to exploit desperate intended parents. Liliana Blanco and Ariel Ahumada are trampling on an industry that others have worked hard to build over time. For example there are professionals like Dr. Demián Glujovsky and lawyer Ester Nunez who bring people from far afield, as far as Australia and New Zealand. When the general public learn about exploitation like this, Argentina will certainly be one third world country to cross off their list.
This investigation will continue to expose the full network involved in this scam, ensuring that all collaborators are brought to light. Trust and integrity are paramount in the journey to parenthood, and we are committed to protecting hopeful parents from such fraudulent practice.