A Lakemba man has been charged today (5 August, 2026) with allegedly organising for his wife to leave Australia before submitting a withdrawal of her spousal visa application.
An AFP investigation began in March, 2026, into a report regarding a woman, 23, who alleged her husband had trafficked her to Myanmar from Australia in December, 2025.
The couple allegedly travelled to Myanmar on 9 December, 2025, to visit relatives. On 14 January, 2026, the man, 30, allegedly changed his flight arrangements and travelled alone to Singapore and later Japan, before returning to Australia on 24 March, 2026.
It will be alleged that in November, 2024, the man had purchased a one-way ticket for his wife and return tickets for himself to Myanmar. A few weeks later, he allegedly submitted a withdrawal of a spousal visa application and stated the pair had separated.
He is also alleged to have organised the renewal of his wife's Myanmar passport.
AFP investigators executed a search warrant in Lakemba on 5 August, 2026. Items seized included mobile phones and a laptop.
The man was later charged with one count of facilitating the exit of another person from Australia by using threat, deception or coercion, contrary to section 271.2(1A) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
He was granted police bail and is next scheduled to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on 28 August, 2026.
The woman has since returned to Australia and is receiving ongoing support from the AFP and Red Cross Support for Trafficked People Program.
AFP Detective Superintendent Luke Needham said exit trafficking was an insidious offence that was often underreported.
"No one has the right to force or deceive anyone to leave Australia, or to prevent them from returning, against their will. This type of behaviour is a criminal offence and carries a potential 12-year jail sentence," Det-Supt Needham said.
"The sad reality is this crime does occur in modern Australia, which is why educating the public on the indicators is crucial.
