A 60-year-old man is expected to face Perth Magistrates Court today (17 June 2022) charged with 17 offences after an AFP investigation into debt bondage and loan sharking allegations.
The AFP will allege the man had control of 16 foreign passports that were not in his name and he was holding them as surety for loans he provided, despite not being a licensed moneylender.
Police arrested and charged the man in March (2022) after an extensive investigation, which was supported by Australian Border Force (ABF).
Officers found 15 foreign passports and other identification material during a search warrant at a Victoria Park property linked to the man. Another person’s passport was allegedly found at the man’s Bentley home.
Police used this evidence to inform further inquiries, before charging the 60-year-old in March for allegedly providing illegal high-interest loans for several years.
AFP Senior Constable Steve Proud said police alleged the man had targeted vulnerable foreigners, mostly females, and took their travel documents as security for the debts.
The interest rate on some loans was allegedly 10 per cent on the outstanding balance and interest was charged every seven days.
“We urge people not to deal with unlicensed money lenders because exploitative interest rates make it difficult to repay loans,” Senior Constable Proud said.
“Not having control of your own passport until you repay a loan is a form of debt bondage and closely related to human trafficking activity, and it is illegal.
“People who don’t speak English fluently or don’t know many people in Australia can be more vulnerable to being exploited. The AFP understands it can be incredibly difficult for victims to come forward, however there is help available.
“We urge anyone with information about these types of offences to contact police.”
ABF Commander Operations West, James Copeman, said ABF officers remained steadfast in their pursuit of those who exploited vulnerable people through these illegal methods.
“Holding the passport of a person as security for a debt undermines personal freedom and affects the ability for people to make choices for themselves, which is simply not acceptable to the Australian community,” Commander Copeman said.
The man, from Bentley, has been charged with:
- One count of improper possession of a foreign travel document, contrary to section 21(4) of the Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Act 2005 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years’ imprisonment;
- 15 counts of improper control of a foreign travel document, contrary to section 21(4) of the Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Act 2005 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years’ imprisonment;
- One count of engaging in credit activity not holding a licence authorising the person to engage in the credit activity, contrary to section 29(2) of the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (Cth). The maximum penalty is two years’ imprisonment.
Investigations in this matter are ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
