The AFP has charged a man in immigration detention in Western Australia for allegedly making hundreds of menacing, harassing and offensive phone calls to the AFP, including one in which he allegedly threatened to kill people.
The Moroccan national, 45, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court today (25 July, 2025) after AFP officers arrested him yesterday at Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre, northeast of Perth. He has been remanded in custody to face court again on 12 September, 2025.
The AFP allegedly identified the man during an investigation into a caller who made 297 phone calls to the AFP between 31 May and 24 July, 2025.
Police will allege the caller was aggressive during a number of calls and, on one occasion, allegedly made threats to kill other people.
The man has been charged with:
One count of using a carriage service to make threat to kill, contrary to section 474.15(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years' imprisonment; and
One count of using carriage service to menace, harass or offend, contrary to section 474.17(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is three years' imprisonment.
AFP Detective Acting Inspector Karen Addiscott said harassing or threatening behaviour, in person or remotely by phone or computer, was not acceptable and could constitute a criminal offence.
"These types of calls not only impose a frustrating waste of resources for the agency targeted, they can be distressing and concerning for the people who answer them, even if they are not the direct target of the threats," Det a/Insp Addiscott said.
"The AFP will allege the calls were made to the AFP's National Operations State Service Centre and could have disrupted or delayed genuine calls from being answered."
