Emma R

A group led by a gynecologist in Crete, Greece exploited at least 30 women, including Romanians, as surrogate mothers. The women were kept in 14 houses where they got pregnant against their will, gave birth, and the babies were illegally put up for adoption for money. Clients included single men, infertile couples, and gay couples who wanted children. Babies born to the surrogate mothers were sold for up to 120,000 euros each. The women were recruited by "brokers" who received 3000-5000 euros per surrogate mother found. The brokers also got monthly bonuses to monitor the pregnant women. The women came from countries like Romania, Ukraine, Moldova, Albania, Bulgaria and Georgia. Some were in the last weeks of pregnancy when discovered by police. To disguise the transactions, the babies were passed off as international adoptions in countries where surrogacy was banned. In Greece surrogacy is legal but highly regulated. The criminal group included doctors, clinic staff, a Romanian woman, and two Georgian women. Nine people have been arrested so far, with two Moldovan women wanted internationally.