According to investigators, the ring had a sophisticated and tightly organized structure, using advanced technology to evade detection. Members recruited Vietnamese women in difficult circumstances via social media, arranged for them to act as surrogate mothers, and then sold the newborns abroad.

The operation was uncovered after days of online surveillance by the Criminal Police Department in cooperation with Ninh Binh police. On July 15, under orders from Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Long, specialized task forces simultaneously moved in to detain key suspects.

Those summoned included Quach Thi Thuong (1985, Lam Dong), Pham Thi Hoai Thu (1987, Hanoi), Phung Thi Nuong (1996, Hanoi), Nguyen Thi Hang (1996, Hanoi), Nguyen Thi Thu Trang (1992, Ninh Binh), and Lo Thi Thanh (1996, Son La), among others.

Eleven infants, aged from 9 days to 3 months, were rescued. They were all born to surrogate mothers within the network and were in the process of being sent overseas.

Investigations revealed that in late 2021, Thuong, using the Zalo account “Coca” (later changed to “Pepsi”), connected with Wang, who used the account “Andy.” Wang tasked Thuong with recruiting healthy women under 35 for surrogacy, as well as finding caregivers for newborns and handling legal paperwork such as birth certificates, DNA tests, and travel documents. Wang paid Thuong USD 1,000 per month, Thu USD 500, and each surrogate mother USD 11,800 to USD 15,700 per case.

Women were sent to Cambodia or China for embryo implantation before returning to Vietnam to carry the pregnancy and give birth. All financial transactions were conducted through intermediaries to avoid detection.

Thuong admitted to arranging around 60 surrogacies, earning USD 22,900, while Thu confessed to about 40 cases, making USD 13,740. Many surrogate mothers were later hired as nannies, earning USD 22.40–USD 29.40 per day.

Three Chinese nationals entered Vietnam in May 2025 to collect an infant from the ring but were intercepted while awaiting paperwork at the Chinese Embassy.

Based on collected evidence, Ninh Binh police have charged multiple suspects with “Organizing surrogacy for commercial purposes.” The 11 rescued babies are now being cared for at the Peace House Shelter, under the Vietnam Women’s Union, with support from the Ministry of Health and the Vietnam Children’s Protection Fund.

Tien Dung