FBI Seeking Potential Victims of Alleged Surrogacy Theft Scheme Involving Houston-Based Company

HOUSTON – The Houston FBI is seeking to identify people who believe they were victims of a Houston-based company.

Surrogacy Escrow Account Management, LLC, or SEAM, is accused in a lawsuit of stealing more than $10 million intended for surrogacy from intended parents.

The intended parents have no idea what happened to their surrogate mothers’ money and business owner Dominique Side is now trying to “avoid having to deal with the clients she has defrauded,” the lawsuit claims.

A spokesperson for the Houston Police Department told KPRC 2’s Bryce Newberry on Tuesday that the FBI had taken over an investigation.

The lawsuit filed by Houston attorney Lori Hood of the Shackelford Law Firm on June 21 alleges fraud and breach of contract, alleging that SEAM and Side defrauded their clients by luring them into a fiduciary relationship in order to to steal their blocked funds.

“The sudden collapse of SEAM and the actions taken by Dominique indicate that SEAM and Dominique may have misappropriated funds held up for years in order to finance Dominique’s other business ventures and lavish lifestyle,” the lawsuit claims.

Lawyers tell KPRC 2’s Bryce Newberry there are also alleged victims in other countries, including China, France and Egypt.

Wednesday morning, KPRC 2 learned that Side was notified of the trial at a home in Brazoria County.

After filing a lawsuit, a Harris County judge granted a temporary restraining order, which froze the company’s assets and any bank accounts owned by Side and his business partner that may have held blocked funds.

The attorneys also subpoenaed bank statements, but according to the lawsuit, SEAM’s escrow account with Capital One has no funds available and all of the intended parents’ escrow funds were diverted to non-Capital One accounts.

As of this writing, Side has not been charged with any crime.

The FBI has created a short form for those who believe they have been victims of SEAM. Click here for the form.

If you have been affected by the alleged SEAM theft scheme, contact reporter Bryce Newberry at [email protected].