A WA couple has been charged overnight following an AFP human trafficking investigation.
It’s alleged an Ocean Reef man, 32, and woman, 37, falsified Visa documents to get a Filipino woman, 36, into the country in late 2023 to work as a masseuse in their business in regional WA.
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The couple is accused of illegally taking the woman’s passport, underpaying her and forcing her to pay off debts that were excessive, including paying for a new machine at the massage business.
The victim, a trained masseuse, came to Australia after answering an advertisement in the Philippines for massage therapists.
Police allege the couple arranged a tourist visa, rather than a work visa, for the woman by submitting false details on the documents and told her they would also arrange a visa for her to study once she reached Australia.
However, they then allegedly made her repay the cost of the student Visa application, and later withdrew the application without telling her.
The victim was also allegedly never given official payslips and was advised not to socialise in the local community.
Police will allege that when the woman complained about her pay and conditions, the man refused her requests to return her passport.
The charged pair is due to face court today.
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