Disclaimer: This article contains information about a criminal act and may be distressing for some readers. Please read at your own discretion.
The scandal involving SEAM (Surrogacy Escrow Account Management), a Houston-based surrogacy escrow company, has affected hundreds of people in Texas and worldwide.
According to the source, a lawsuit accuses the owner of SEAM, Dominique Side, of misusing clients’ funds for personal expenses.
Katie Lynch, a client who lost thousands, shared her experience: “These people are putting not only their savings and their last amount of money but also their last amount of hope.”
Katie and her husband, John, have struggled for five years to have a baby, trying various methods, including in-vitro fertilization, but faced repeated heartbreak.
“We had good embryos, but my body couldn’t carry them,” explained Katie.
Their close friend, Vicky Ursi, witnessed their pain. “It was really hard to see your friend go through heartbreak,” said Vicky. She and her family supported the Lynchs through their emotional journey.
The friends had joked about Vicky lending her uterus, and last year, it became a reality. Vicky offered to be their surrogate, and the first embryo transfer was successful.
In May, she gave birth to John Robert, Jr., the Lynchs’ miracle baby.
“He’s perfect, happy, healthy, and we’re so excited,” expressed Katie. The reality of motherhood still feels surreal to her.
Vicky, knowing the baby was her friend’s, found joy in handing him over. “It was amazing seeing her with her baby,” she said.
To protect everyone involved, they used surrogacy lawyers and an escrow account to pay Vicky’s medical bills.
SEAM was recommended, and the Lynchs deposited $36,000 into the account. Trouble arose when they were about to deposit another $8,000, but Vicky noticed issues on social media.
In June, the Lynchs and others received emails about ‘fraudulent activity’ in the accounts.
Soon after, SEAM’s operations were put on hold, and Dominique Side informed clients of an active federal investigation.
“We’re lucky with the timing of when it happened in our journey,” said John Lynch, reflecting on their loss of $6,000.
The lawsuit claims Side misappropriated over $10 million from the escrow accounts for a lavish lifestyle and personal ventures.
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Attorneys are now working to recover the stolen funds. “I want these families to get their money back,” said Katie.
She and over 800 others are part of a Facebook group tracking the case and advocating for legal protections.
The FBI Houston division is investigating and has set up a website for those affected by SEAM to provide information.