Mediterranean Fertility Centre trial begins in Crete over fraud and trafficking charges

A major trial is set to begin in Crete involving the Mediterranean Fertility Centre in Chania, where 26 defendants face charges including fraud, forgery, human trafficking, and the illegal sale of genetic material. Prosecutors allege the clinic, founded by obstetrician Ioannis Giakoumakis, operated a sophisticated scheme that misled hundreds of patients.

Between 2018 and 2023, hundreds of women were allegedly subjected to fake IVF procedures. In many instances, patients were told eggs had been retrieved or embryos transferred when no such procedures occurred. Instead, the clinic is accused of using the stolen eggs and sperm to create embryos for other clients, who paid significant sums, sometimes exceeding €100,000.

The investigation revealed widespread exploitation, including the use of women as surrogates and the illegal purchase of children. In some cases, patients discovered their genetic material had been used to create embryos for entirely different families, leading to biological siblings being born to unrelated households without the parents' knowledge. The case has caused profound moral injury to victims, including families from Australia.