A Belgian woman and man were arrested on charges of defrauding couples who believed the woman was willing to be a surrogate mother for their babies.

The woman, 31, is suspected of having offered her services over the internet to Dutch couples for payment with the help of her former partner, 48, a prosecution spokesman from the Belgian city of Ghent said.

They risk jail terms of up to five years if convicted.

The couple also face a charge of unethical trading over what happened to twins the woman gave birth to in the spring.