Border Force confirms 435 potential child sex offenders stopped at airports last year

“In the last two weeks, 17 travellers across the country have been stopped with alleged child abuse material on their electronic devices, leading to visa cancellations and arrests; this is more than one a day,” according to the ABF.

“Tackling child exploitation is an operational priority for the ABF, and our officers are highly skilled at identifying individuals at our airports who attempt to carry this abhorrent material across the border.

“We will use all our powers available to cancel visas, penalise and/or prosecute anyone who tries to enter our country and exploit vulnerable children.”

Between 1 and 14 January, ABF cases include stopping seven alleged offenders in NSW. These included the following actions:

A 26-year-old Malaysian man who had his visa cancelled after he arrived in Sydney and was selected for a device examination. On his phone, officers allegedly found over 100 images of child abuse material, including anime and AI-generated pictures. The man was detained for questioning and then sent back to Malaysia. ​

Also in NSW, ABF officers arrested a 48-year-old Australian man after he arrived in Sydney from Hong Kong. While inspecting his mobile device, officers allegedly located 10 videos depicting child abuse material. The man was charged with three Commonwealth offences, including importing child abuse material. He was refused bail and is due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday, 3 March. He faces up to 40 years’ imprisonment if convicted for all three offences.

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Three alleged offenders were stopped in Victoria, including a 57-year-old Australian man who arrived in Melbourne from Indonesia and was selected for examination by ABF officers. Across his two mobile phones, officers located several videos and images allegedly depicting child abuse material. The devices are being held for further investigation.

A 70-year-old Australian man is under investigation after he arrived at Perth airport from Indonesia and was selected for a baggage examination. ABF officers found three mobile phones and two laptop computers, some of which allegedly contained child abuse material and messages with a minor.

Two alleged offenders have been stopped in Adelaide, including a 27-year-old Australian woman who was arrested by ABF officers following a flight from Japan. The woman was selected for a device examination by ABF officers, who allegedly located evidence of child abuse material. The ABF are working with partner law enforcement agencies, including South Australia Police, to ensure the matters are thoroughly investigated.

Four alleged offenders have been stopped in Queensland, including a 24-year-old Australian man who arrived in Brisbane from Japan and was selected for a device examination by ABF officers. The man, who is a holder of a working with children card, was found to have images on his mobile phone of alleged child exploitation material. He was subsequently arrested by ABF officers and his laptop held for further examination. The man was granted bail and will appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on 6 February.

ABF detections have also resulted in a significant number of referrals overseas leading to the rescue of 158 children and arrest of 32 child abuse facilitators; and six previously unknown offenders were placed on the Australian National Child Offender Register for life.

ABF Commander David Coyles said tackling child exploitation is an operational priority for the ABF, and our officers are highly skilled at identifying individuals at our airports who attempt to carry this abhorrent material across the border.

“ABF officers utilise a range of powers at the border in order to detect and seize goods and material deemed harmful to the community and will act decisively with our law enforcement partners when it is detected,” Commander Coyles said.

“Tackling child abuse is an important part of the ABF’s role in protecting Australia from individuals who may pose a threat to the community – each intercepted piece of child abuse material helps remove children from harm, both here and overseas.

“The ABF will use all our powers available to cancel visas, penalise and/or prosecute anyone who tries to enter our country and exploit vulnerable children.”