Sydney man charged after allegedly tricking family on overseas trip, leaving wife and one-year-old stranded in Pakistan

A husband has been charged after allegedly abandoning his wife and young child overseas, leaving them stranded far from home.

The 45-year-old man from southwest Sydney faced court on Wednesday accused of taking his family on a trip to Pakistan in August last year before returning to Australia alone.

It is alleged he deceived his wife into travelling with their one-year-old baby, then took the child’s passport and left them at the airport.

He allegedly retained possession of the child’s passport, making it difficult for the child — an Australian citizen — to return home.

The wife was eventually able to return in February and reported the matter to police.

A search warrant was executed at a home on Wednesday, with officers seizing electronic devices and documents.

The man appeared via video link in a Sydney court charged with two counts of trafficking a person from Australia using deception and one count of using someone’s identity online.

The trafficking charges each carry a maximum penalty of 12 years in jail if convicted, while the identity offence carries up to five years if convicted.

The man was granted bail on condition he must not leave NSW or Australia, report to police daily, and not contact key people linked to the case.

He also has to surrender his passport and stay away from international departure points, and can only use one mobile phone registered in his name and is also banned from using encrypted messaging apps — including Snapchat, Wickr, Viber, Kik and Telegram — except for WhatsApp.

Someone approved by the court must also promise to pay $50,000 if he breaks his bail conditions or fails to show up to court.

The case has been adjourned until August 8 for a brief status hearing.

AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Luke Needham said the case is being treated as a potential “exit trafficking” offence.

“Carrying out actions to force or encourage someone to travel overseas and then impede their ability to return to Australia can be a serious criminal offence, and the AFP will not hesitate to act when we have evidence of criminal actions,” Needham said.

“Exit trafficking offences quite often occur within family units or in situations where close relationships have disintegrated, and there is a concern these types of offences are under-reported in Australia.

“The AFP encourages anyone who suspects they, or someone they know, has been a victim of exit trafficking to come forward.

“All complaints will be taken seriously and appropriately assessed with dignity, and the AFP can help victims obtain the support and assistance they require.”