It is believed up to 150 couples are caught up in a scandal involving a Greek surrogacy clinic

Australian media is reporting that the couples cannot see or collect their babies unless they can prove a genetic link after police searched the clinic and detained the newborn babies.

Eight people are said to have been detained by Greek authorities following the scandal, in which authorities have accused the Meditteranean Fertility Institute of engaging in human trafficking and the illegal adoption of babies.

The clinic has been accused of exploiting young foreign women and using them as egg donors and surrogate mothers.

The babies that have been born using the women are under guard at a Crete hospital and are in possession of the Greek government, local news is reporting.

It is believed many of the children are biologically related to the Australian couples, but intended parents have been told they must have a DNA test to prove a genetic link to a child born via the surrogate mothers.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told 7News that it was providing consular assistance to the parents involved and working with the Greek authorities to resolve the issue.

In a statement, it said: “The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is continuing to provide consular assistance engaging actively with Greek authorities in support of a small number of families with surrogacy arrangements in Greece.

“We understand this is a distressing time for impacted families.”