You might have heard whispers online about a bizarre offer — “Earn ₹10 lakh by making women pregnant.” Sounds like clickbait, right? Unfortunately, it’s not. This surrogacy scandal is a real and dangerous scam spreading fast across WhatsApp, Facebook, and Telegram, luring unsuspecting men with promises of easy cash.
What seems like a shortcut to quick money is actually a well-planned trap targeting jobless youth, especially in Bihar and nearby regions.
In this blog, we’ll uncover how the scam works, why it’s so dangerous, and how you can protect yourself before becoming the next victim. Let’s dive in.
Surrogacy Scandal in India
This scam is simple in its approach but dangerous in its impact. Scammers promise huge payouts, sometimes ₹5 lakh, ₹10 lakh, or even more, for helping childless women conceive.
They post ads with flashy videos and fake testimonials, making it look like a genuine job opportunity.
Once someone shows interest, the scammers ask for personal documents like Aadhaar and PAN cards.
They also demand money up front for registration, hotel bookings, and other fees. After receiving the payment, they block the victim and disappear.
Even if victims are promised compensation later, they never see a single rupee.
Modus Operandi of the Surrogacy Scam
Here’s how they trap people step by step:
- Targeting Vulnerable Couples:
Clinics identified and targeted childless couples desperate for a baby, luring them with promises of quick and guaranteed surrogacy or IVF success. - False Promises and High Fees:
Couples were charged exorbitant amounts — often between ₹30–40 lakh — under the pretext of legal surrogacy procedures using their own genetic material. - Illegal Baby Procurement:
Babies were sourced from poor or vulnerable families, sometimes through coercion, deception, or financial inducement. - Falsified Medical and DNA Records:
Clinics forged medical documents and DNA reports to make it appear that the child was biologically related to the commissioning parents. - Role of Middlemen and Agents:
A network of brokers, hospital staff, and agents coordinated the illegal transfers, connecting desperate couples with sellers and facilitating payments. - Continued Operation Despite Bans:
Some clinics continued running even after their licenses were suspended or revoked, exploiting regulatory loopholes and weak monitoring systems. - Human Trafficking Disguised as Fertility Treatment:
The entire operation functioned as a sophisticated baby-selling network under the guise of legitimate fertility and surrogacy services. - Profit Over Ethics:
The scam commodified childbirth, transforming a deeply human process into a profit-driven black-market trade in newborns.
Surrogacy Scandal in India- Real Cases
India’s surrogacy industry, once a booming sector offering hope to countless childless couples, has come under intense scrutiny after a series of shocking revelations.
Recent investigations in Telangana, Delhi-NCR, and Hyderabad have uncovered disturbing instances of illegal surrogacy, human trafficking, and unethical medical practices.
Below are three major case studies that shed light on the dark underbelly of this growing crisis.
Case 1: Bihar Surrogacy Scandal
In August 2024, police in Patna, Bihar, busted a gang that had duped over 200 men using this exact scam.
The group operated through Telegram channels named things like “Indian Surrogacy Program” and “Fertility Donation Centre.”
Victims were promised up to ₹8–10 lakh per “assignment,” but were instead tricked into paying registration and testing fees.
Police revealed that the scammers earned over ₹25 lakh in just three months.
Case 2: Telangana’s Surrogacy Scam – The Business of Selling Babies
In Telangana, a massive illegal surrogacy racket exposed how deeply the business of “baby selling” has infiltrated fertility services.
Authorities discovered that certain fertility centers were operating as fronts for trafficking newborns, often sourced from impoverished families. These infants were sold to childless couples under the guise of legitimate surrogacy procedures.
The investigation revealed:
- Couples were deceived into believing the babies were conceived using their own genetic material.
- Medical records and DNA documents were falsified to conceal the truth.
- Agents, doctors, and intermediaries formed a network to profit from both the buyers and vulnerable biological mothers.
This case spotlighted the lack of oversight in private fertility clinics and the ease with which medical institutions could disguise illegal activities under the pretext of surrogacy and IVF treatments.
Case 3: Delhi-NCR Surrogacy Scandal – Fertility Clinics that Become Trafficking Hubs
In Delhi and the surrounding NCR region, an India Today investigation uncovered a network of fertility clinics involved in illegal surrogacy and potential human trafficking.
Undercover journalists found that several clinics offered to arrange surrogate pregnancies in violation of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, demanding large payments for services that are legally restricted or prohibited.
Key findings included:
- Unregistered clinics offering surrogacy packages disguised as “fertility treatments.”
- Brokers connecting infertile couples with impoverished women willing to rent their wombs for money.
- Possible collusion between hospital staff, agents, and middlemen to bypass regulations.
This case demonstrated that despite the 2021 ban on commercial surrogacy, the black market for babies and surrogates remains highly active, exploiting legal loopholes and weak enforcement mechanisms.
Case 4: Hyderabad IVF Racket – Babies Sold for ₹4–5 Lakh
In Hyderabad, investigators uncovered one of India’s most shocking surrogacy scandals involving the Universal Srushti Fertility Centre.
At least 25 people, including doctors, staff, and intermediaries, were arrested for running a large-scale baby-selling operation disguised as a legitimate IVF service.
According to the probe:
- Couples were charged up to ₹30–40 lakh for “surrogacy” packages, believing they would receive their own biological child.
- In reality, infants were procured from poor families and sold — baby girls for around ₹3.5 lakh and boys for ₹4.5 lakh.
- DNA reports were forged to convince commissioning parents that the babies were genetically theirs.
- The clinic continued operating despite license cancellations and prior warnings from authorities.
This case exposed the horrifying commodification of children, turning fertility treatment into a front for child trafficking and fraudulent medical practices.
What Laws Are Being Broken?
This scam isn’t just unethical — it’s illegal. It violates several laws, including:
- Cheating and fraud laws under the Indian Penal Code.
- Information Technology Act, which deals with digital crimes.
- Identity theft laws, as scammers from misusing sensitive personal information.
Being a victim of this scam could also lead to more crimes like identity theft or financial fraud later on.
How Can You Spot a Surrogacy Scam?
Watch out for the following red flags:
- Unrealistic promises of huge money for minimal work.
- Requests for sensitive personal documents right at the start.
- Demands for registration fees or hotel bookings.
- No official website or verifiable contact information.
- Pressure tactics that push you to act fast.
If you see these signs, step back immediately.
How to Report a Surrogacy Scam?
If you or someone you know has come across this scam, it’s important to act quickly.
Reporting it not only helps protect yourself but also prevents others from falling into the same trap. Here’s how you can report it step by step:
1. Contact Your Local Police
Go to the nearest police station and explain the situation. Provide all the details you have — screenshots, messages, documents shared, and any payments made. Filing a formal complaint will help the police investigate the case.
2. File a Cyber Crime Complaint
You can also report the scam online at the official National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
Here’s how:
- Visit the website.
- Click on “Report Cyber Crime.”
- Fill in your details and describe the scam.
- Upload screenshots or evidence if you have them.
This portal is monitored by the government, and complaints are forwarded to the relevant police stations for action.
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Register with us, and we will guide you through the process to report the complaint online on the respective platform for the recovery of losses.
Conclusion
The “Make Women Pregnant” scam may sound unbelievable, but it’s real and dangerous. It tricks people with false promises, steals money, and misuses personal information.
Scams like this are becoming part of the growing wave of cyber crimes in India, where fraudsters exploit sensitive topics to deceive and extort victims. Stay alert, verify every offer, and report anything suspicious.
By being cautious and spreading awareness, you’re protecting yourself and others. Remember — if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Stay informed, stay safe, and take action against fraud.
