Child abduction ring alleged by AFP – breaking news from the ABC
Three men have been arrested over an alleged plot to help women abduct children, portray their fathers as child abusers and then hide the children from authorities.
Key points:
- Police said the group allegedly aimed to help women abduct and hide their children
- They said 10 children had been safely returned home after being abducted
- AFP Assistant Commissioner Debbie Platz said more people may have been involved without knowing it
Australian Federal Police investigators raided properties across Australia, including Dubbo and Grafton in NSW, Townsville in Queensland, and various locations in Perth.
A sailing boat was also searched.
Police said during their two-year investigation, 10 children had been safely returned after being abducted.
Five of them are linked to this particular group, police say.
Police allege a 64-year-old man, arrested in Grafton yesterday, acted as the key financier of the scheme, which aimed to help two women abduct and hide their children, in contravention of family law orders.
A 63-year old man, also arrested in Grafton, allegedly acted as the co-coordinator.
Police claim he sent money to the women and then used social media to portray the children’s fathers as child abusers.
Both men will appear in Grafton Local Court today.
An 83-year old man has also been arrested in Townsville and charged over his alleged involvement.
He is due to appear in Townsville Local Court today.
Read more here
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