A southwest Sydney man who allegedly stranded his wife and one-year-old child in Pakistan is expected to appear before Liverpool Local Court today (11 June, 2025) to face human trafficking charges.
The AFP's Eastern Command Human Trafficking team launched an investigation in February, 2025, after a woman reported her husband had left her in Pakistan without documentation after the family travelled overseas together from Australia.
It will be alleged the man, 45, deceptively convinced his wife and child to travel with him to Pakistan in August, 2024. On arrival, he allegedly took the child's passport and abandoned the pair at the airport.
He returned to Australia by himself later that month.
The man then allegedly fraudulently cancelled the Australian visa of his wife in November, 2024, and retained possession of the child's passport.
The wife reported the matter to the AFP when she was able to return to Australia in February, 2025. AFP investigators engaged with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to facilitate the child's return to Australia. The child was born in Australia and is an Australian citizen.
AFP investigators executed a search warrant at an Austral home today (11 June, 2025) and seized a number of electronic items and documents.
The man was later charged with:
- Two counts of trafficking a person from Australia by using deception, contrary to section 271.2(1A) of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of 12 years' imprisonment.
- One count of dealing with identification information involving the use of a carriage service, contrary to section 372.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Luke Needham said the allegations in this matter could be described as potential 'exit trafficking' offences.
"Carrying out actions to force or encourage someone to travel overseas and then impede their ability to return to Australia can be a serious criminal offence, and the AFP will not hesitate to act when we have evidence of criminal actions," Det a/Supt Needham said.
"Exit trafficking offences quite often occur within family units or in situations where close relationships have disintegrated, and there is a concern these types of offences are under-reported in Australia.
"The AFP encourages anyone who suspects they, or someone they know, has been a victim of exit trafficking to come forward. All complaints will be taken seriously and appropriately assessed with dignity, and the AFP can help victims obtain the support and assistance they require."
If you suspect you, or some else is experiencing, or at risk of, modern slavery or human trafficking, call 131 AFP (237) or use the AFP's confidential online form. If you have immediate concerns for your safety or that of another person, or there is an emergency, dial Triple Zero (000).
The Support for Trafficked People Program is a key component of Australia's response to support victims of human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices, and is delivered nationally by the Australian Red Cross.
