Colombian man accused of locking people in cupboards for DAYS and taking their passports after helping youth group migrate to Australia

A Colombian man allegedly locked people in closets for several days and took control of their passports and income in Adelaide’s outback.

The 38-year-old, who lived in Kilburn, is said to have helped members of a youth group he led in Venezuela to migrate to Australia in 2015, while another group member also moved to Australia in 2016.

However, once they arrive in Australia, police will allege the man took control of their passports and income, tracked their movements, restricted daily activities and forced the victims to ‘pay off debts unreasonably owed’ manner have been enforced’ in what has been described as ‘sustained cruelty’. inhuman and degrading treatment’.

Police allege he isolated the victims from family and friends and limited or controlled their private messages to loved ones, while also locking them outside the group home or in closets for several days.

Australian Federal Police Detective Melinda Adam said servitude practices, including debt bondage, occur when “people are subjected to conditions they did not agree to.”

“Victims are significantly deprived of personal freedom in all aspects of their lives, and threats, coercion or deception are often used against them,” Detective Chief Inspector Adam said.

‘Perpetrators usually take advantage of vulnerable people who cannot or do not want to report exploitative conditions for fear of retaliation by the perpetrators, social isolation and financial dependence on perpetrators.’

A search warrant was served at the man’s home in Kilburn on Thursday.

The man is said to have helped members of the youth group from Venezuela to migrate to Australia (pictured, the man is arrested at a house in Kilburn, Adelaide on Thursday)

The AFP claims the man (pictured) took control of migrants' passports and earnings

The AFP claims the man (pictured) took control of migrants’ passports and earnings

The man was arrested and AFP investigators seized electronic devices and documentation.

He was charged with one count of causing debt bondage (aggravated), cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, with the maximum penalty for the crime being seven years’ imprisonment upon conviction.

He was also charged with one count of causing or continuing to subject a person to servitude (aggravated), cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted.

The 38-year-old is expected to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday.

Chief Inspector Adam urged people to come forward if they suspect someone is at risk of exploitation.

“The AFP urges people to be aware of the indicators of slavery-like practices and to report anything that looks suspicious,” Chief Inspector Adam said.

Indicators of human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices can include not having access to income or savings, having no choice in housing and never leaving the workplace without guidance from an employer.