Sydney Man Charged with Human Trafficking After Allegedly Stranding Wife and Child in Pakistan
A shocking case of international family betrayal unfolds as Australian authorities pursue justice.
A man from southwest Sydney has been charged with human trafficking after he allegedly stranded his wife and one-year-old child in Pakistan. Authorities claim the incident was both calculated and deceptive, placing the victims in a precarious and unsafe situation abroad.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) launched an investigation in February 2025, following a report made by the victim after her eventual return to Australia. The woman claimed her husband lured her and their child to Pakistan under false pretenses before taking their travel documents and abandoning them.
Deceptive Plan Uncovered by Federal Investigators
Authorities allege that the 45-year-old man intentionally planned the act, convincing his wife and child to accompany him overseas in August 2024. Once in Pakistan, he is said to have confiscated the child’s passport and left the pair at the airport before returning to Australia alone.
In November 2024, months after his return, the man allegedly took further steps to cancel his wife’s Australian visa without her knowledge. The child’s passport remained in his possession, complicating efforts to return the child to Australia.
This incident, now being investigated as a human trafficking offense, highlights the growing scrutiny surrounding domestic coercion and international exploitation cases involving Australian citizens.
Rescue and Charges Reflect New Legal Frontiers
Upon her return in early 2025, the woman reported the ordeal to the AFP. Investigators collaborated with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to facilitate the return of the child, who, being born in Australia, is a confirmed citizen.
On executing a search warrant in Austral, AFP officials seized electronic devices and documents that are now being reviewed as part of the ongoing legal proceedings.
This case brings into focus Australia’s commitment to combating human trafficking, even in non-traditional contexts involving family members. The Eastern Command Human Trafficking team continues to pursue leads in this rare and complex investigation.
Authorities Warn: Family-Based Coercion Is Still Trafficking
The charges serve as a reminder that family-based exploitation is still human trafficking, and authorities are keen to protect vulnerable individuals, especially when children are involved.
