A Wangaratta man is expected to face Melbourne Magistrates Court today (3 October, 2025) for allegedly possessing and soliciting child abuse material from the Philippines via a messaging service.
ABF members searched the man, 43, when he arrived at Melbourne International Airport on a flight from Croatia via Singapore on 27 September, 2025.
Officers allegedly located child abuse images on a mobile phone in his possession.
AFP Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET) members were notified and, on further examination of the phone, allegedly identified messages by the man requesting child abuse material from another user.
The man was arrested and charged with one count of using a carriage service to possess child abuse material, contrary to s474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth); and one count of using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material, contrary to s474.22(1)(a)(iv) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for each offence is 15 years' imprisonment.
He was released on strict conditional bail to appear before court today.
Southern Command JACET members executed a search warrant at the man's Wangaratta home on 1 October, 2025 and seized a hard drive and printed images depicting child abuse material.
These will be the subject of further forensic examination.
AFP Detective Sergeant Scott Amjah said anyone asking for child abuse material was committing a serious offence and enabling heinous acts upon children.
"Every online action is traceable, and the AFP works tirelessly to find those in possession of, or soliciting, this kind of material," Det-Sgt Amjah said.
"If you possess, solicit, share or create child abuse, expect a knock on the door from us and to be put before the courts."
ABF Acting Superintendent Costas Karatzas said officers would continue to work alongside law enforcement partners to target individuals who attempt to bring child abuse material across Australia's border.
"Offenders who think they can hide this material from ABF officers should think again. The ABF has zero tolerance for those who exploit children, and we will continue to identify and intercept those engaged in this abhorrent activity," Acting Superintendent Karatzas said.
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the ACCCE is driving a collaborative national approach.
The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE. If you know abuse is happening right now, or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
If you, or someone you know, is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
