Chinese Couple Sell Their Baby to Buy iPhone and Luxury Shoes

A Chinese couple will stand trial in Shanghai for allegedly selling their baby and using the money to pay for an online shopping spree, including the purchase of an iPhone and luxury trainers.

The couple, named as Mr Teng and Ms Zhang, began posting online adverts for the child in June this year. The adverts suggested they would be willing to part with their unborn baby in exchange for up to 50,000 yuan (£5,070).

 After a home birth they handed over the baby girl and received a large cash payment into their bank account on the very same day. Mr Teng and Ms Zhang reportedly told prosecutors they were acting in their daughter’s best interests, claiming they had hoped to place her with a financially stable family who could provide an education.

Prosecutors believe the couple’s bank records clearly show they had in fact hatched a “sinister conspiracy” to profit from the child’s sale.

Prosecutors also allege that the couple attempted to disguise Ms Zhang’s pregnancy in order to hide their crime. In order to explain her bump, neighbours were told she was suffering from a tumour.