Woman who allegedly lured PNG nationals to Australia with fake scholarships charged with human trafficking
A woman who allegedly lured people from Papua New Guinea to Australia with the promise of fully-funded scholarships has been charged with human trafficking.
Australian Federal Police allege the 56-year-old woman forced 15 people — aged between 19 and their late 30s — to work on farms against their will instead of receiving the education they had been promised.
The woman, who had been based in PNG since 2023 and worked for what police described as a "legitimate business", was arrested by AFP officers when she got off a flight at Brisbane Airport on Wednesday.
She has since been charged with more than 30 offences, including human trafficking, deceptive recruitment and debt bondage — the most serious of which carries a 12-year term of imprisonment.
Police said the 56-year-old was granted conditional bail after appearing in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
The AFP first began investigating the woman in 2022 following a tip-off from Queensland Police.
It is alleged the woman brought 15 PNG nationals to Australia between March 2021 and July 2023 by offering fully-funded educational scholarships.
Police allege the students were then forced to sign legal documents and agree to repay costs associated with tuition, airfares, visa applications, insurance and legal fees, which placed them in excessive debt.
Rather than receiving the education they were promised, the woman allegedly forced the group to work on farms at different locations in south-east Queensland, including Caboolture and the Lockyer Valley.
It is alleged she received wages on their behalf, which she withheld, claiming it was repayment for their debts.
AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said the woman allegedly threatened the group with deportation if they did not comply with her instructions.
"She also allegedly threatened family members back in PNG," he said.
Detective Superintendent Telfer said police do not believe the business the woman worked for was involved.
Detective Superintendent Telfer said police were aware of people being lured to Australia with the promise of a "dream career" or "free education" which they may otherwise not have had access to.
He described the matter as "disturbing".
"They are pursuing an education, a dream to come to Australia ... opportunities they don't find in their own country."
Detective Superintendent Telfer said police and other support services were working with some of the 15 PNG nationals who remained in the country.
He said police believe there may be more alleged victims.
The woman's matter is expected to return to court in Brisbane in September.
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