The natural mother of 'internet twins' faces a prison sentence after admitting to federal fraud.

Richard and Vickie Allen, a Californian couple, said they paid an internet broker £4,000 to adopt the twins. Then, they said, Wecker took the children for a visit and never returned.

Tranda Wecker, 29, of St Louis, Missouri, had earlier denied the charges but yesterday changed her plea, admitting to lying to get rent subsidies, food stamps and unemployment benefits. Sentenced on January 18th, she faces a year in prison when she is

The twins, Kiara and Keyara, were subsequently adopted by North Wales couple Judith and Alan Kilshaw from Buckley, who said they paid the same broker £8,000. The twins are now in care while a judge decides custody.