HOUSTON – FBI Houston is seeking to identify those who believe they were victimized by a Houston-based company.
Surrogacy Escrow Account Management, LLC, or SEAM, is accused in a lawsuit of stealing more than $10 million meant for surrogates from intended parents.
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Intended parents have no idea what happened to the money for their surrogates and the owner of the company, Dominique Side, is now trying to “avoid having to face the clients she defrauded,” the lawsuit claims.
A spokesperson for the Houston Police Department told KPRC 2′s Bryce Newberry on Tuesday that the FBI has taken over an investigation.
The lawsuit filed by Houston attorney Lori Hood of Shackelford Law Firm on June 21 claims fraud and breach of contract, alleging that SEAM and Side defrauded clients by luring them into a fiduciary relationship in order to steal their escrow funds.
“The sudden collapse of SEAM and actions taken by Dominique indicates that SEAM and Dominique may have been misappropriating the escrow funds for years in order to bankroll Dominique’s other business ventures and lavish lifestyle,” the lawsuit claims.
Lawyers tell KPRC 2′s Bryce Newberry that there are alleged victims from other countries as well, including China, France, and Egypt.
On Wednesday morning, KPRC 2 learned Side was served with the lawsuit at a home in Brazoria County.
After filing the suit, a Harris County judge granted a temporary restraining order, which froze the company’s assets and any bank accounts belonging to Side and her business partner, which may hold escrow funds.
Lawyers have also subpoenaed bank records, but according to the lawsuit, SEAM’s escrow account with Capital One has no funds available and all of the intended parents’ escrow funds have been 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 victimized by SEAM. Click here for the form.
If you have been impacted by the alleged SEAM theft scheme, reach out to reporter Bryce Newberry at bnewberry@kprc.com.