A 37-year-old Pakistani man was charged with allegedly trying to traffic an Australian woman and her two young children out of the country, using threats and coercion.
The suspect appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates' Court, and the Australian Federal Police said the woman and children were known to him.
Investigators opened the case on June 10 after a tip from a member of the public. Police located the group before they could leave Melbourne Airport and separated the woman and children from the suspect.
Authorities claim the man threatened the woman to force her agreement to travel from Australia to Pakistan.
Search warrants were carried out in Melbourne's Glenroy suburb on October 9, where a mobile phone, laptop and documents were seized for forensic analysis.
The charge alleges he organised another person's proposed departure from Australia through coercion, threats or deception, with a maximum penalty of 12 years imprisonment.
AFP Detective Superintendent Ray Imbriano said timely information and cooperation with community partners enabled investigators to stop the alleged trafficking before it happened.
He urged anyone worried about possible human trafficking to contact authorities, noting victims may be isolated or intimidated into thinking they have no choice.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
