Taiwanese prosecutors have charged three people over an alleged cross-border surrogacy network that recruited clients in Taiwan, used Thai egg donors and surrogates, and arranged births in Taiwan. The operation, reportedly run through companies called UT Lise and Tonghe Xinsheng, allegedly charged fees of up to four million baht. Taiwanese media reported the case on 23 September 2026. Taichung police, prosecutors and immigration officers investigated the network after searching a gynaecology clinic in the city and seizing suspected birth-registration documents. Authorities said 22 Taiwanese men had used the service in less than a year since 2025. The alleged ringleader was identified as Cheng, a man from mainland China. Prosecutors have also issued arrest warrants for two Chinese suspects believed to be behind the wider operation. Alleged route through Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan Taiwan does not permit surrogacy, but investigators said the group advertised an end-to-end service online. Under the alleged arrangement, intended fathers travelled to Malaysia to provide sperm samples. They were then offered information and photographs allowing them to select eggs from Thai women, while surrogates were also sourced in Thailand. Eggs were reportedly fertilised in Malaysia, after which the surrogate returned to Thailand for most of the pregnancy. Once more than eight months pregnant, she would allegedly travel to Taiwan on a tourist visa to await the birth. After delivery, the child would undergo a paternity test so that the father could complete the process of recognising the child. Sex-selection claims raised concern The group allegedly offered a choice of the baby's sex for an extra payment. Investigators found 25 newborns connected to the suspected operation, including 21 boys - 84 per cent of the total - a proportion they considered unusually high compared with natural birth rates. Dr Huang Jianpei, secretary-general of the Taiwan Association of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, said sex selection generally requires cells to be taken from an embryo for testing, which may affect the embryo's cells. Customers were reportedly charged US$60,000 to US$100,000, with a US$150,000 "guaranteed child" package also advertised. The three defendants have been charged under Taiwan's Artificial Reproduction Act for allegedly profiting from brokering sperm. Prosecutors had ordered the case to proceed, while the two wanted Chinese suspects remain at large. Join the discussion? 24 September 2026
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