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Kidney Scam

By CBS

Authorities in India bust black market kidney ring. Kidney Scam

Published: Wed, January 30, 2008 - 3:52 pm Last Updated: Wed, January 30, 2008 - 3:55 pm

Police in India are continuing investigations into the massive organ transplant racket that they believe sold up to 500 kidneys to numerous clients who travelled to the country from around the world over the past nine years for kidney transplants.

Police suspect that dozens of doctors were involved in the kidney racket, which had a waiting list of some 40 people hailing from at least five countries.

The scam, centered in Gurgaon, a posh suburb of New Delhi, used luxury cars outfitted with blood-testing machines to test donors on the fly as well as sophisticated surgical equipment hidden inside a residential neighbourhood.

The primary suspects, who police said have been tied to organ transplant rackets in the past, have apparently fled the country, police said.

There long have been reports of poor Indians illegally selling their kidneys, but the transplant racket in Gurgaon, which was busted last Thursday following a tip from a victim, is one of the most extensive to come to light.

Accounts varied on whether the labourers were aware they were selling their kidneys or whether doctors removed them without their consent. Under Indian law, the sale of human organs is illegal under any circumstances, though organ donations are allowed.

Sanjay, a labourer said they alleged organ removal doctors said they would remove his kidney and he would be paid about 2,500 US dollars for it.

"They warned me not to mention it to anyone. They said if you cooperate with us, then you would get 100,000 rupees, otherwise, if you try to run away, then they would kill me," he added.

Investigators also said they found a car outfitted as a mobile blood-testing lab.

"They (the accused) had converted their car into a mini laboratory. They used to travel to Meerut and Moradabad to get people whose blood samples would match to what they needed and then they would get them here," said Mohinder Lal, the Gurgaon Police Commissioner.

The Hindustan Times newspaper reported that those who were paid for their organs earned 50,000-100,000 rupees (1,250 to 2,500 US dollars).

The kidney ring had a waiting list of dozens of people from India, the United States and Greece, according to the Hindustan Times. Several patients waiting for a transplant were at the facilities when police raided them Friday, but they were allowed to return to their countries without
being held for questioning.

The case has sparked outraged headlines and ignited a national discussion of organ transplant law, with the Indian Medical Association on Monday calling for legislation to make organ transplants easier.