A Hanoi court has sentenced a woman to 13 years in prison for running a fraudulent surrogacy scheme that scammed an infertile couple out of more than VND1.3 billion (about $50,000).
The case highlights the growing risks faced by couples seeking surrogacy arrangements outside official medical channels in Vietnam.
The verdict was handed down by the Hanoi People’s Court on March 13.
Promise of a Child Turns Into a Costly Deception
According to prosecutors, the victims—identified only as a Hanoi couple surnamed H.—had struggled with infertility for years and were searching for someone willing to carry a child through surrogacy.
In early 2024, through an intermediary, they were introduced to Dao Thi Lan Phuong, 44, who claimed she could arrange the surrogacy.
The parties agreed on a total cost of VND1.5 billion for the arrangement.
In reality, investigators found that Phuong had no legal authority or medical role in providing surrogacy services.
Authorities say she devised the scheme because she needed money to repay personal debts and fund daily expenses.
Elaborate Scheme to Build Trust
To convince the couple the process was legitimate, Phuong staged a series of actions that appeared to follow standard fertility procedures.
These included:
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Arranging a supposed egg donor
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Taking the husband to hospitals for fertility tests and sperm collection
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Drafting a fake IVF service contract
She also searched social media for egg donors and promised the couple their baby would be born in December 2024.
Fake Medical Documents and Ongoing Payments
After the contract was signed, Phuong repeatedly asked the couple to transfer money to cover various fabricated medical fees.
In total, the victims transferred more than VND1.3 billion.
To maintain the illusion, Phuong:
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Sent edited ultrasound and pregnancy records
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Shared altered medical prescriptions
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Claimed the pregnancy was progressing normally
Investigators later determined these documents had been taken from the internet and digitally modified.
Truth Revealed Near the “Due Date”
As December 2024 approached—the time when the baby was supposed to be born—Phuong began giving excuses to delay the handover.
Eventually she admitted she had never arranged any surrogacy procedure.
By that point, most of the money had already been spent.
Phuong returned VND240 million to the victims and promised to repay another VND800 million, but the couple reported the case to police.
Surrogacy Laws in Vietnam
Vietnam allows altruistic surrogacy under strict conditions, typically involving close relatives and approved medical procedures.
Commercial surrogacy—where payment is exchanged beyond medical costs—remains illegal.
Experts say the legal restrictions have created an environment where some couples, desperate for a child, may turn to informal networks or brokers, increasing the risk of scams.
For the Hanoi couple in this case, what began as hope for a child ultimately ended in financial loss and a lengthy criminal trial.
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