Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:32,683 --> 00:00:35,683
[gentle music plays]
2
00:00:56,883 --> 00:00:58,883
[woman shouting in market]
3
00:01:20,483 --> 00:01:23,763
[gentle music continues]
4
00:01:56,363 --> 00:01:58,363
Sexual servitude,
modern slavery.
5
00:01:59,283 --> 00:02:00,503
[Nick] There's debt bondage.
6
00:02:00,603 --> 00:02:02,943
They've been kidnapped
in once case.
7
00:02:03,043 --> 00:02:04,303
Cash, cash, cash.
8
00:02:04,403 --> 00:02:06,403
She was
a very disciplined individual.
9
00:02:10,683 --> 00:02:12,623
And, as we went in, we went
straight into the bedroom
10
00:02:12,723 --> 00:02:14,943
where the girl was,
and there was sex taking place.
11
00:02:15,043 --> 00:02:16,223
- Hi. [laughs]
- [man] How you doing?
12
00:02:16,323 --> 00:02:17,423
Oh, wow.
13
00:02:17,523 --> 00:02:20,583
[inspector] It is exploitation
of the individual
14
00:02:20,683 --> 00:02:22,963
at their most intimate level.
15
00:02:25,243 --> 00:02:26,623
[Nick] Why don't you care?
16
00:02:26,723 --> 00:02:29,543
These women are being mistreated
by organised crime.
17
00:02:29,643 --> 00:02:30,743
You're making money
18
00:02:30,843 --> 00:02:32,843
out of these people's misery,
aren't you?
19
00:02:34,483 --> 00:02:36,103
[Nick] It's not a small problem
is what you're saying.
20
00:02:36,203 --> 00:02:38,263
It's not...
It's not a small problem, no.
21
00:02:38,363 --> 00:02:39,543
[Nick] This is all top secret.
22
00:02:39,643 --> 00:02:42,343
- They had an undercover.
- [woman] Yes.
23
00:02:42,443 --> 00:02:44,623
I've been an investigative
journalist in Melbourne
24
00:02:44,723 --> 00:02:48,343
for, uh, don't know,
a long time, 20 years.
25
00:02:48,443 --> 00:02:51,823
Human trafficking, it's come up
again and again and again.
26
00:02:51,923 --> 00:02:53,063
And what does that say
27
00:02:53,163 --> 00:02:55,163
about our law enforcement,
our regulation?
28
00:02:56,483 --> 00:02:58,483
I don't know how to answer that, Nick.
29
00:03:08,083 --> 00:03:10,383
Just when I say,
"Put that down",
30
00:03:10,483 --> 00:03:12,643
put it down. Um...
31
00:03:17,803 --> 00:03:19,803
That guy totally just...
32
00:03:20,883 --> 00:03:22,543
just clocked us.
33
00:03:22,643 --> 00:03:24,063
Just bear with me.
34
00:03:24,163 --> 00:03:25,983
Just put that camera down
for one sec.
35
00:03:26,083 --> 00:03:27,303
Let me get the park.
36
00:03:27,403 --> 00:03:30,063
Like, I appreciate why we need
the doco camera here,
37
00:03:30,163 --> 00:03:34,663
but, the minute they see me
with this or you with that,
38
00:03:34,763 --> 00:03:36,763
it's all for nothing.
39
00:03:38,163 --> 00:03:40,303
You might want to put it down.
40
00:03:40,403 --> 00:03:42,863
[disquieting music plays]
41
00:03:42,963 --> 00:03:45,743
The last few days,
I've got two separate tip-offs
42
00:03:45,843 --> 00:03:47,583
from different sources.
43
00:03:47,683 --> 00:03:48,783
I can't really say
where they work
44
00:03:48,883 --> 00:03:50,423
but they keep an eye
on human trafficking,
45
00:03:50,523 --> 00:03:52,063
and both said the same thing.
46
00:03:52,163 --> 00:03:55,583
There's this notorious brothel
that I've looked at before
47
00:03:55,683 --> 00:03:56,943
in respect
of human trafficking,
48
00:03:57,043 --> 00:03:58,743
sex slavery, things like that,
49
00:03:58,843 --> 00:04:01,663
and it's trafficking women again.
50
00:04:01,763 --> 00:04:03,183
That's the strong intelligence.
51
00:04:03,283 --> 00:04:07,823
So, to get two different people
from two different areas,
52
00:04:07,923 --> 00:04:10,063
without saying
which areas they are,
53
00:04:10,163 --> 00:04:11,583
maybe it's law enforcement,
54
00:04:11,683 --> 00:04:15,583
maybe it's organised crime,
but separately saying,
55
00:04:15,683 --> 00:04:17,983
"This brothel in Melbourne
56
00:04:18,083 --> 00:04:21,183
is at the centre of
some trafficking as we speak,"
57
00:04:21,283 --> 00:04:22,583
is extremely rare.
58
00:04:22,683 --> 00:04:23,783
And what do I do?
59
00:04:23,883 --> 00:04:25,543
What's the next step
journalistically?
60
00:04:25,643 --> 00:04:26,943
As crude as it sounds,
61
00:04:27,043 --> 00:04:28,423
it's to go and look
at the brothel
62
00:04:28,523 --> 00:04:30,223
to see who's coming and going,
63
00:04:30,323 --> 00:04:32,743
see if there's vans
pulling up with women.
64
00:04:32,843 --> 00:04:36,183
If there is trafficking,
often there's red flags.
65
00:04:36,283 --> 00:04:38,283
[device beeps]
66
00:04:39,323 --> 00:04:40,703
Because I've looked
at trafficking
67
00:04:40,803 --> 00:04:42,103
at this place before,
68
00:04:42,203 --> 00:04:43,783
it's not very glamorous
but you sit in your car
69
00:04:43,883 --> 00:04:47,483
and mostly you just
see blokes going to the brothel.
70
00:04:48,243 --> 00:04:49,423
You sit here for hours
71
00:04:49,523 --> 00:04:51,803
and hopefully you don't need
to go to the bathroom.
72
00:04:53,723 --> 00:04:55,723
There's a van pulling up.
73
00:04:56,723 --> 00:04:58,723
[device beeps]
74
00:05:04,323 --> 00:05:06,323
[engine starts]
75
00:05:09,563 --> 00:05:11,563
It's very hit and miss, obviously.
76
00:05:13,843 --> 00:05:15,843
It could be the management
going to open.
77
00:05:17,323 --> 00:05:19,543
Just put the camera down.
I'm just going to swing past
78
00:05:19,643 --> 00:05:21,643
just to get a closer look
at this.
79
00:05:31,803 --> 00:05:33,803
G'day. I'm good, thanks.
How you going?
80
00:05:35,123 --> 00:05:36,863
No, I have not seen it.
81
00:05:36,963 --> 00:05:38,383
Can I give you a hint today,
82
00:05:38,483 --> 00:05:39,623
and sit and just work
on the piece,
83
00:05:39,723 --> 00:05:41,723
then publish it Wednesday?
84
00:05:42,043 --> 00:05:43,223
You know,
I'm giving you my word,
85
00:05:43,323 --> 00:05:44,503
it's just me and him.
86
00:05:44,603 --> 00:05:47,163
I could even do it tonight,
you know, it's just...
87
00:06:00,203 --> 00:06:02,263
[Nick]
So, they're a few small clues
88
00:06:02,363 --> 00:06:04,223
in all these hours of vision
89
00:06:04,323 --> 00:06:06,383
which could be really important
90
00:06:06,483 --> 00:06:07,823
and could link us back
91
00:06:07,923 --> 00:06:10,423
to this notorious
sex trafficking syndicate
92
00:06:10,523 --> 00:06:13,163
that the police tried
to shut down years ago.
93
00:06:14,243 --> 00:06:15,823
And there's a numberplate
94
00:06:15,923 --> 00:06:19,183
which my team has linked
to this guy called Kevin
95
00:06:19,283 --> 00:06:20,703
He's a ruthless standover man.
96
00:06:20,803 --> 00:06:22,943
And, it's fair to say,
97
00:06:23,043 --> 00:06:25,043
I know his story
all too well.
98
00:06:28,603 --> 00:06:29,903
I've written about this guy
99
00:06:30,003 --> 00:06:32,003
time and time again
ten years ago.
100
00:06:32,923 --> 00:06:34,983
It was him that put me
on the path,
101
00:06:35,083 --> 00:06:37,183
or the investigation,
into the question of -
102
00:06:37,283 --> 00:06:39,443
is human trafficking
happening in Australia?
103
00:06:42,163 --> 00:06:44,163
Fuck...
104
00:06:55,283 --> 00:06:57,703
Trafficking research.
105
00:06:57,803 --> 00:07:00,183
It's years,
years worth of research.
106
00:07:00,283 --> 00:07:02,963
I mean, been looking
at trafficking since 2009.
107
00:07:08,803 --> 00:07:12,223
And these are the accounts
of South Korean women
108
00:07:12,323 --> 00:07:16,983
who were working as sex workers
for a trafficking syndicate,
109
00:07:17,083 --> 00:07:19,083
and they talk about Kevin.
110
00:07:19,603 --> 00:07:22,243
"Kevin was the one responsible
for watching over the girls.
111
00:07:23,443 --> 00:07:25,703
Kevin told me
he wished to be called...
112
00:07:25,803 --> 00:07:27,803
'Laoda', big boss.
113
00:07:28,603 --> 00:07:31,863
I began speaking to Kevin,
pleading with him to let me go.
114
00:07:31,963 --> 00:07:34,783
He did not even show that
he heard what I was saying.
115
00:07:34,883 --> 00:07:36,983
Over the two months
that I worked as a sex worker
116
00:07:37,083 --> 00:07:39,063
in Melbourne against my will,
117
00:07:39,163 --> 00:07:42,743
I believe that I had sex
with over 400 men.
118
00:07:42,843 --> 00:07:45,063
These people
are controlling my body,
119
00:07:45,163 --> 00:07:46,743
but I should have control
120
00:07:46,843 --> 00:07:49,163
over the destiny of my mind,
at least."
121
00:07:53,763 --> 00:07:55,183
There's heaps I can't tell you
122
00:07:55,283 --> 00:07:58,503
about the leaked information
I've got from a whole range
123
00:07:58,603 --> 00:08:01,343
of different sources
to protect those sources,
124
00:08:01,443 --> 00:08:05,263
but the links to this syndicate
operating again at Number 39
125
00:08:05,363 --> 00:08:07,623
and possibly to Kevin,
is an early breakthrough.
126
00:08:07,723 --> 00:08:09,723
It's big, it's a big deal.
127
00:08:14,763 --> 00:08:16,963
This is my old
human trafficking file.
128
00:08:19,483 --> 00:08:20,623
Years ago,
129
00:08:20,723 --> 00:08:21,983
I wrote about this young
Melbourne guy.
130
00:08:22,083 --> 00:08:23,463
His name is Abraham Papo.
131
00:08:23,563 --> 00:08:25,423
Fell in love
with a South Korean.
132
00:08:25,523 --> 00:08:26,983
She was a sex worker.
133
00:08:27,083 --> 00:08:28,863
He thought that
she'd been trafficked,
134
00:08:28,963 --> 00:08:30,383
and he went to save her life.
135
00:08:30,483 --> 00:08:32,223
He ran into Kevin [bleep].
136
00:08:32,323 --> 00:08:34,663
There was an altercation
and, ultimately,
137
00:08:34,763 --> 00:08:38,203
Kevin killed him,
bashed him to death.
138
00:08:39,323 --> 00:08:42,063
And, from that,
everything else fell out,
139
00:08:42,163 --> 00:08:44,623
the whole seedy picture.
140
00:08:44,723 --> 00:08:46,263
But, you gotta understand,
141
00:08:46,363 --> 00:08:48,863
back then I wasn't
investigating human trafficking.
142
00:08:48,963 --> 00:08:51,983
The Kevin [bleep] story
was about a murder.
143
00:08:52,083 --> 00:08:54,643
[4 Corners theme music plays]
144
00:08:56,083 --> 00:08:57,383
[female tv host]
Abraham Papo's death
145
00:08:57,483 --> 00:08:59,823
occurred against
a sordid backdrop,
146
00:08:59,923 --> 00:09:02,983
the world of human trafficking,
debt bondage
147
00:09:03,083 --> 00:09:04,863
and sexual servitude.
148
00:09:04,963 --> 00:09:07,623
His girlfriend had been working
at this brothel.
149
00:09:07,723 --> 00:09:10,823
She had rung him to say
she'd been moved to Sydney
150
00:09:10,923 --> 00:09:12,783
and was being physically abused.
151
00:09:12,883 --> 00:09:14,943
She had begged him to help her.
152
00:09:15,043 --> 00:09:17,823
[tv host] Do you think Abraham
was going to try to save her?
153
00:09:17,923 --> 00:09:19,143
Definitely.
154
00:09:19,243 --> 00:09:21,143
[female tv host] Abraham Papo
walked into the brothel
155
00:09:21,243 --> 00:09:23,183
to confront the owner.
156
00:09:23,283 --> 00:09:25,143
Someone grabbed a tyre lever.
157
00:09:25,243 --> 00:09:26,423
There was a fight,
158
00:09:26,523 --> 00:09:29,183
and the 27-year-old
was bashed to death.
159
00:09:29,283 --> 00:09:33,583
Abraham Papo died in his car
trying to get away.
160
00:09:33,683 --> 00:09:36,743
Abraham Papo's killer,
known as Kevin [bleep],
161
00:09:36,843 --> 00:09:39,983
a convicted criminal
and veteran of the sex trade,
162
00:09:40,083 --> 00:09:43,583
who worked at the brothel,
claimed it was self-defence.
163
00:09:43,683 --> 00:09:46,063
Papo's family
doesn't believe it.
164
00:09:46,163 --> 00:09:48,143
He was silenced,
he was murdered.
165
00:09:48,243 --> 00:09:50,923
Brutally, brutally killed.
166
00:09:55,083 --> 00:09:57,543
[Nick] Right now, we're driving
off to meet David Papo.
167
00:09:57,643 --> 00:09:59,983
Now, David is the brother
of Abraham.
168
00:10:00,083 --> 00:10:01,183
[David] Hey, mate.
169
00:10:01,283 --> 00:10:03,463
G'day, just letting you know
we're on time.
170
00:10:03,563 --> 00:10:05,623
We'll be there
three minutes early.
171
00:10:05,723 --> 00:10:06,983
Oh, for fuck's sake.
172
00:10:07,083 --> 00:10:09,463
Alright, I'll start
cleaning the house.
173
00:10:09,563 --> 00:10:11,943
[Nick] David, in fact,
the whole Papo family,
174
00:10:12,043 --> 00:10:16,463
are obviously massively
traumatised from the killing.
175
00:10:16,563 --> 00:10:18,863
But Kevin would never
have been charged with murder
176
00:10:18,963 --> 00:10:22,983
if it wasn't for what I dug up
ten years ago.
177
00:10:23,083 --> 00:10:26,983
That was massive at the time
but he was found not guilty.
178
00:10:27,083 --> 00:10:28,543
Um...
179
00:10:28,643 --> 00:10:30,463
It's our system,
you respect the system,
180
00:10:30,563 --> 00:10:33,703
but there's bad shit
went on back then.
181
00:10:33,803 --> 00:10:35,143
A man lost his life,
182
00:10:35,243 --> 00:10:37,463
a woman
was probably human trafficked,
183
00:10:37,563 --> 00:10:39,563
but the crooks got away with it.
184
00:10:40,883 --> 00:10:42,703
It's one of the blessings
of this job.
185
00:10:42,803 --> 00:10:44,063
You get to meet
really good people
186
00:10:44,163 --> 00:10:45,263
and brave people.
187
00:10:45,363 --> 00:10:46,743
I mean, we're asking him
to speak out
188
00:10:46,843 --> 00:10:48,143
about an organised crime gang.
189
00:10:48,243 --> 00:10:49,783
He's a bloke
who lives in the suburbs
190
00:10:49,883 --> 00:10:51,183
with wife and a kid.
191
00:10:51,283 --> 00:10:52,503
It's no small thing for him.
192
00:10:52,603 --> 00:10:54,183
I've got the backing
of a big company behind me
193
00:10:54,283 --> 00:10:55,503
to keep me safe.
194
00:10:55,603 --> 00:10:58,503
So, for him to speak up
and be willing to go on camera
195
00:10:58,603 --> 00:11:01,963
and confront this stuff,
that's absolutely gutsy.
196
00:11:17,283 --> 00:11:18,863
- Long time no see.
- It's been a long time.
197
00:11:18,963 --> 00:11:20,143
- How are you?
- Good, good.
198
00:11:20,243 --> 00:11:22,463
- That's the way.
- Where should we plonk down?
199
00:11:22,563 --> 00:11:25,183
Um, wherever you want to sit.
It's really up to you.
200
00:11:25,283 --> 00:11:26,503
Hi!
201
00:11:26,603 --> 00:11:28,383
How you going?
202
00:11:28,483 --> 00:11:30,563
What a nice surprise!
203
00:11:31,323 --> 00:11:32,703
[Deanna chuckles]
204
00:11:32,803 --> 00:11:35,543
- I wasn't expecting you.
- Of course I'd come.
205
00:11:35,643 --> 00:11:37,183
[Nick] Alright, um...
206
00:11:37,283 --> 00:11:39,283
- [Deanna] So good to see you.
- [Nick] Likewise.
207
00:11:40,683 --> 00:11:43,783
My journey, while there's been,
you know,
208
00:11:43,883 --> 00:11:45,103
stings happening recently,
209
00:11:45,203 --> 00:11:47,303
really starts
with Abraham's death.
210
00:11:47,403 --> 00:11:48,663
That's the only reason
I got interested
211
00:11:48,763 --> 00:11:50,303
in human trafficking.
212
00:11:50,403 --> 00:11:52,103
Doing this has made me think
about Abraham a lot.
213
00:11:52,203 --> 00:11:54,503
I've re-read the stories,
I've watched the 4 Corners,
214
00:11:54,603 --> 00:11:55,823
and just thought about him.
215
00:11:55,923 --> 00:11:58,303
Even though I never met him,
I feel like I know him.
216
00:11:58,403 --> 00:12:00,403
What do you miss most about him?
217
00:12:01,083 --> 00:12:03,223
Probably his laughter.
218
00:12:03,323 --> 00:12:04,823
Um... yeah.
219
00:12:04,923 --> 00:12:06,503
[Nick] It's alright...
220
00:12:06,603 --> 00:12:08,383
You're making me
tear up now.
221
00:12:08,483 --> 00:12:10,223
Grab a glass of water
or something if you need.
222
00:12:10,323 --> 00:12:11,463
I'm all good. Its...
223
00:12:11,563 --> 00:12:13,103
It's good to remember
but it's hard.
224
00:12:13,203 --> 00:12:14,783
[Nick] Yeah, I can imagine. Um...
225
00:12:14,883 --> 00:12:17,103
Someone called me,
one of Abraham's mates,
226
00:12:17,203 --> 00:12:19,023
and said, "This is bullshit.
227
00:12:19,123 --> 00:12:21,803
You know, he's been killed
but no-one's been charged."
228
00:12:22,603 --> 00:12:24,503
And there's this
trafficking thing.
229
00:12:24,603 --> 00:12:27,303
He had a girlfriend
and she's probably trafficked.
230
00:12:27,403 --> 00:12:30,343
And putting that all together
and publishing that story
231
00:12:30,443 --> 00:12:32,703
and finally getting
the coroner to say,
232
00:12:32,803 --> 00:12:34,803
"No, there's something
more here".
233
00:12:35,203 --> 00:12:36,783
And then the relief
of someone being...
234
00:12:36,883 --> 00:12:38,303
Kevin being charged,
235
00:12:38,403 --> 00:12:40,543
but then...
236
00:12:40,643 --> 00:12:42,583
what's your feeling
these years later
237
00:12:42,683 --> 00:12:44,923
about the fact that Kevin
got away with it all?
238
00:12:46,083 --> 00:12:48,623
[David] You could see the way
the trial was panning out.
239
00:12:48,723 --> 00:12:52,463
If you can't find him
100% guilty of murder,
240
00:12:52,563 --> 00:12:53,863
then he's innocent.
241
00:12:53,963 --> 00:12:55,463
And that was the massive
turning point
242
00:12:55,563 --> 00:12:56,703
where I'm sitting there going,
243
00:12:56,803 --> 00:12:58,383
"This guy's gonna...
he's gonna walk away."
244
00:12:58,483 --> 00:13:00,303
Did you ever lock eyes
on Kevin?
245
00:13:00,403 --> 00:13:02,023
I did.
246
00:13:02,123 --> 00:13:04,743
What did you see in him
when you looked... looked at him?
247
00:13:04,843 --> 00:13:06,383
- Nothing.
- Mm.
248
00:13:06,483 --> 00:13:09,103
- No emotion, no nothing.
- Mm.
249
00:13:09,203 --> 00:13:12,023
The last few weeks,
weird as my job sometimes is,
250
00:13:12,123 --> 00:13:14,663
I've been sitting
outside some brothels,
251
00:13:14,763 --> 00:13:17,343
the brothels that
the same syndicate run,
252
00:13:17,443 --> 00:13:19,583
trying to find evidence
of human trafficking.
253
00:13:19,683 --> 00:13:21,683
Let me show you something.
254
00:13:28,483 --> 00:13:30,483
- Do you recognise him?
- Yeah.
255
00:13:31,763 --> 00:13:33,103
Like, I was shocked.
256
00:13:33,203 --> 00:13:35,303
He's running a legal,
licensed brothel.
257
00:13:35,403 --> 00:13:37,343
I find it inexplicable.
258
00:13:37,443 --> 00:13:38,663
Um...
259
00:13:38,763 --> 00:13:42,103
I mean, for me,
it says nothing changes.
260
00:13:42,203 --> 00:13:43,863
He's driving an expensive Audi.
261
00:13:43,963 --> 00:13:46,783
His life goes on, and he's doing
exactly the same thing
262
00:13:46,883 --> 00:13:49,343
and the state,
the powers that be
263
00:13:49,443 --> 00:13:51,443
don't seem to be able
to stop it.
264
00:13:52,363 --> 00:13:53,463
Don't seem to be able to
265
00:13:53,563 --> 00:13:58,303
or don't want to
or not interested?
266
00:13:58,403 --> 00:14:00,403
Mm.
267
00:14:02,923 --> 00:14:05,463
I've got nothing wrong
with a guy going to a brothel,
268
00:14:05,563 --> 00:14:07,343
but to know that
there's women out there
269
00:14:07,443 --> 00:14:09,843
that aren't doing this
of their own free will is...
270
00:14:11,083 --> 00:14:12,983
It's really sad.
271
00:14:13,083 --> 00:14:15,783
Abraham, the night that he died,
he was...
272
00:14:15,883 --> 00:14:17,743
Like, why did he care so much
about Sun-ju?
273
00:14:17,843 --> 00:14:19,303
Why did he care so much
about this woman?
274
00:14:19,403 --> 00:14:20,543
He was in love with her.
275
00:14:20,643 --> 00:14:23,183
I mean, he'd spent his last,
you know,
276
00:14:23,283 --> 00:14:24,983
two years of his life with her.
277
00:14:25,083 --> 00:14:28,583
Um, you know, got her completely
out of that environment,
278
00:14:28,683 --> 00:14:31,823
helping support her, you know,
teaching her English.
279
00:14:31,923 --> 00:14:33,423
Still got some DVDs...
280
00:14:33,523 --> 00:14:37,563
Sorta can't bring myself
to watch, but yeah. Um...
281
00:14:38,643 --> 00:14:41,103
I can't tell you how much, like,
Abraham's face, that photo,
282
00:14:41,203 --> 00:14:43,223
is just burnt into my brain.
283
00:14:43,323 --> 00:14:44,783
Obviously, I look
a lot like him,
284
00:14:44,883 --> 00:14:47,543
but a bit, obviously,
larger and fatter.
285
00:14:47,643 --> 00:14:50,583
But I find it hard
to look at myself in the mirror.
286
00:14:50,683 --> 00:14:52,683
Yeah.
287
00:14:53,203 --> 00:14:55,203
Oh, Jesus Christ, mate.
288
00:14:57,683 --> 00:14:58,823
Um...
[Nick chuckles]
289
00:14:58,923 --> 00:15:01,383
That's probably why
I've let myself go a bit.
290
00:15:01,483 --> 00:15:03,483
Let's have a cup of tea.
291
00:15:06,643 --> 00:15:08,643
Life is [bleep] up sometimes,
isn't it?
292
00:15:13,523 --> 00:15:15,103
That's the thing
about being a journalist,
293
00:15:15,203 --> 00:15:16,543
you can be let
into people's lives,
294
00:15:16,643 --> 00:15:17,983
not just, like, a little bit.
295
00:15:18,083 --> 00:15:19,983
They let you fully
into their lives,
296
00:15:20,083 --> 00:15:21,583
and they share their pain
and their suffering,
297
00:15:21,683 --> 00:15:23,983
and that's...
298
00:15:24,083 --> 00:15:25,303
How can you not be fired up
299
00:15:25,403 --> 00:15:27,763
to push on
when that's happening?
300
00:15:31,043 --> 00:15:32,623
It would be easy to be cynical.
301
00:15:32,723 --> 00:15:35,383
I reported on human trafficking
in great detail
302
00:15:35,483 --> 00:15:37,183
12 years ago, ten years ago.
303
00:15:37,283 --> 00:15:38,423
There was big headlines.
304
00:15:38,523 --> 00:15:41,403
There was promises of reform
and change.
305
00:15:43,523 --> 00:15:46,103
We've got to keep the spotlight
on this.
306
00:15:46,203 --> 00:15:48,803
We've got to keep telling
the public what's going on.
307
00:15:53,243 --> 00:15:55,883
If we start
with the Melbourne syndicate.
308
00:15:56,723 --> 00:15:57,983
The story
of the Melbourne syndicate
309
00:15:58,083 --> 00:15:59,223
is pretty simple.
310
00:15:59,323 --> 00:16:00,583
It's a syndicate
that's been running
311
00:16:00,683 --> 00:16:02,683
for over ten years.
312
00:16:03,443 --> 00:16:04,703
We know their modus operandi
313
00:16:04,803 --> 00:16:06,143
is to bring in hundreds
of women,
314
00:16:06,243 --> 00:16:07,503
largely from South Korea,
315
00:16:07,603 --> 00:16:10,543
and they use often
debt bondage to trap them
316
00:16:10,643 --> 00:16:12,543
and, to pay it off,
they have to have sex
317
00:16:12,643 --> 00:16:15,263
with man after man after man.
318
00:16:15,363 --> 00:16:18,503
One of the key leaders
is Mae Ja Kim.
319
00:16:18,603 --> 00:16:20,263
She's the boss.
320
00:16:20,363 --> 00:16:23,103
She works with a guy
called Simon Pan,
321
00:16:23,203 --> 00:16:24,463
an alleged crime figure.
322
00:16:24,563 --> 00:16:27,063
It's his brothel, Number 39.
323
00:16:27,163 --> 00:16:29,663
And then there's Kevin [bleep],
the muscle.
324
00:16:29,763 --> 00:16:31,783
The AFP do a big investigation
325
00:16:31,883 --> 00:16:35,223
and, in 2014,
they finally crack Mae Ja Kim.
326
00:16:35,323 --> 00:16:37,183
They don't get her
for human trafficking, though,
327
00:16:37,283 --> 00:16:39,663
they get her for lesser
organised crime offences.
328
00:16:39,763 --> 00:16:42,143
Still, she goes to jail
for four years.
329
00:16:42,243 --> 00:16:43,703
But even while she's in jail
330
00:16:43,803 --> 00:16:45,503
and the word
in the underworld
331
00:16:45,603 --> 00:16:47,823
is that she's still running
the business.
332
00:16:47,923 --> 00:16:49,383
The information we have today
333
00:16:49,483 --> 00:16:50,943
is the syndicate
is still running,
334
00:16:51,043 --> 00:16:53,043
and running red hot.
335
00:17:00,963 --> 00:17:02,223
The AFP
336
00:17:02,323 --> 00:17:04,983
has agreed to give me access
to some of the investigators
337
00:17:05,083 --> 00:17:06,743
to get the inside story
338
00:17:06,843 --> 00:17:08,843
as to how they took on
the syndicate.
339
00:17:09,403 --> 00:17:10,703
But, in talking to them,
340
00:17:10,803 --> 00:17:12,863
you've gotta understand,
as well, they're police.
341
00:17:12,963 --> 00:17:16,183
The AFP is a guarded,
secretive institution.
342
00:17:16,283 --> 00:17:18,283
So, we'll see what we get.
343
00:17:40,683 --> 00:17:41,783
[clapperboard snaps]
344
00:17:41,883 --> 00:17:43,143
[man] Nick's camera.
345
00:17:43,243 --> 00:17:44,383
[clapperboard snaps]
346
00:17:44,483 --> 00:17:45,743
We'd heard things
about a syndicate
347
00:17:45,843 --> 00:17:48,663
that, you know, was bringing in
Korean women.
348
00:17:48,763 --> 00:17:52,423
And we'd heard things
about Mae Ja Kim.
349
00:17:52,523 --> 00:17:54,463
We wanted to find out
who she was,
350
00:17:54,563 --> 00:17:56,863
and that's when we realised
it was really difficult
351
00:17:56,963 --> 00:17:59,143
to find out who she was
and where she was.
352
00:17:59,243 --> 00:18:02,343
No credit cards. I don't think
she had any bank accounts.
353
00:18:02,443 --> 00:18:04,543
She had no property in her name.
354
00:18:04,643 --> 00:18:05,743
Cash, cash, cash.
355
00:18:05,843 --> 00:18:08,503
She was
a very disciplined individual.
356
00:18:08,603 --> 00:18:10,223
At the time,
she had ten managers
357
00:18:10,323 --> 00:18:12,263
and each of those
basically had ten women,
358
00:18:12,363 --> 00:18:14,863
so she had 100 sex workers
working for her
359
00:18:14,963 --> 00:18:16,963
at any given time.
360
00:18:18,123 --> 00:18:19,743
She needs Korean sex workers
361
00:18:19,843 --> 00:18:22,763
because the demand in Melbourne
at the time was for Korean.
362
00:18:23,883 --> 00:18:27,123
She had a couple of facilitators
in South Korea.
363
00:18:28,163 --> 00:18:30,823
Anyone that was working
in the sex industry there,
364
00:18:30,923 --> 00:18:32,583
they'd find out
if they had a debt
365
00:18:32,683 --> 00:18:34,623
and then they'd offer them
a trip to Australia
366
00:18:34,723 --> 00:18:36,723
to pay off their debt.
367
00:18:37,843 --> 00:18:40,503
[James] They would be charged
exorbitant amounts
368
00:18:40,603 --> 00:18:42,103
for the flight to come out.
369
00:18:42,203 --> 00:18:43,343
[camera clicks]
370
00:18:43,443 --> 00:18:45,903
For transport to and from
the brothels.
371
00:18:46,003 --> 00:18:47,183
[camera clicks]
372
00:18:47,283 --> 00:18:49,343
If they fail to turn up
to work, they would be fined.
373
00:18:49,443 --> 00:18:50,543
[camera clicks]
374
00:18:50,643 --> 00:18:52,623
Botox and hair and clothing
375
00:18:52,723 --> 00:18:54,663
would probably
be about $10,000 worth.
376
00:18:54,763 --> 00:18:56,983
And this would all be added
onto their debt,
377
00:18:57,083 --> 00:18:59,083
and it would just
compound and compound.
378
00:19:00,123 --> 00:19:01,943
There was one
particular individual
379
00:19:02,043 --> 00:19:03,223
who let us know
380
00:19:03,323 --> 00:19:05,143
that her original debt
381
00:19:05,243 --> 00:19:08,383
of somewhere
around $40,000
382
00:19:08,483 --> 00:19:10,983
ended up being in the vicinity
of $80,000,
383
00:19:11,083 --> 00:19:13,083
and this is all cash money.
384
00:19:13,643 --> 00:19:15,223
[Danielle] I remember
being really shocked.
385
00:19:15,323 --> 00:19:17,823
You walk into the back rooms
and, you know, the girls are all
386
00:19:17,923 --> 00:19:21,063
sitting there and along the wall
is Listerine and antibiotics.
387
00:19:21,163 --> 00:19:23,743
When people
are turning clients over
388
00:19:23,843 --> 00:19:27,143
eight, 12, 15 a night,
that does a lot of damage,
389
00:19:27,243 --> 00:19:29,983
and it's really hard to fathom
390
00:19:30,083 --> 00:19:32,423
that any individual
could do this to someone
391
00:19:32,523 --> 00:19:34,943
over and over and over again
392
00:19:35,043 --> 00:19:36,943
'cause it's a commodity
that keeps giving.
393
00:19:37,043 --> 00:19:39,143
You know,
it's an endless resource.
394
00:19:39,243 --> 00:19:42,583
[James] It is exploitation
of the individual
395
00:19:42,683 --> 00:19:44,923
at their most intimate level.
396
00:19:46,083 --> 00:19:47,983
[Nick] Of this 100 women,
397
00:19:48,083 --> 00:19:50,503
how many of them would
have faced fear, coercion,
398
00:19:50,603 --> 00:19:53,223
debt bondage, intimidation?
399
00:19:53,323 --> 00:19:54,823
[Danielle] I think
pretty much all of them.
400
00:19:54,923 --> 00:19:57,263
We're talking about no choice,
no control,
401
00:19:57,363 --> 00:20:00,063
no safety and no way
of getting out.
402
00:20:00,163 --> 00:20:02,423
[James] The nature
of the business model
403
00:20:02,523 --> 00:20:05,223
that she had
was that people would be able
404
00:20:05,323 --> 00:20:07,183
to work their way up
in the syndicate,
405
00:20:07,283 --> 00:20:09,063
and then control people themselves,
406
00:20:09,163 --> 00:20:11,223
and make profit
from exploiting those
407
00:20:11,323 --> 00:20:13,843
that were themselves
having been exploited.
408
00:20:14,763 --> 00:20:17,743
There's a phone call
that is quite significant for us
409
00:20:17,843 --> 00:20:18,983
in the investigation,
410
00:20:19,083 --> 00:20:21,063
which we refer to as
the 10-year phone call
411
00:20:21,163 --> 00:20:23,143
where Mae Ja
is berating her sister
412
00:20:23,243 --> 00:20:25,543
about how bad things are going,
413
00:20:25,643 --> 00:20:28,783
and that these are
the worst figures that we've had
414
00:20:28,883 --> 00:20:30,743
in ten years,
this particular week.
415
00:20:30,843 --> 00:20:34,023
And that week,
Mae Ja made $82,500.
416
00:20:34,123 --> 00:20:36,063
This is a tape record
of the interview between
417
00:20:36,163 --> 00:20:38,183
Detective Leading Senior
Constable James Cheshire
418
00:20:38,283 --> 00:20:39,423
and Mae Ja Kim.
419
00:20:39,523 --> 00:20:40,743
We believe that you have
420
00:20:40,843 --> 00:20:42,783
organised for females
from Korea...
421
00:20:42,883 --> 00:20:46,143
[translator speaks
foreign language]
422
00:20:46,243 --> 00:20:48,503
to come to work in brothels
in Melbourne...
423
00:20:48,603 --> 00:20:52,343
[translator speaks
foreign language]
424
00:20:52,443 --> 00:20:56,823
that you control
who works at which brothel
425
00:20:56,923 --> 00:20:58,223
and when they work.
426
00:20:58,323 --> 00:20:59,783
[Mae Ja speaks foreign language]
427
00:20:59,883 --> 00:21:02,023
[translator]
428
00:21:02,123 --> 00:21:05,023
[Mae Ja speaks foreign language]
429
00:21:05,123 --> 00:21:06,423
[translator speaks
foreign language]
430
00:21:06,523 --> 00:21:07,943
[Mae Ja speaks foreign language]
431
00:21:08,043 --> 00:21:10,263
[translator]
432
00:21:10,363 --> 00:21:14,023
[Mae Ja speaks foreign language]
433
00:21:14,123 --> 00:21:16,123
[translator]
434
00:21:16,923 --> 00:21:19,263
[translator]
435
00:21:19,363 --> 00:21:21,743
[Mae Ja speaks foreign language]
436
00:21:21,843 --> 00:21:23,543
[translator]
437
00:21:23,643 --> 00:21:26,183
Hannah, I spoke before
about the fact
438
00:21:26,283 --> 00:21:28,743
that we've intercepted
a large number of...
439
00:21:28,843 --> 00:21:31,063
Sorry, we've intercepted
a number of phone calls
440
00:21:31,163 --> 00:21:32,503
about the operations
441
00:21:32,603 --> 00:21:36,583
of what we will allege in court
is your syndicate.
442
00:21:36,683 --> 00:21:38,343
[translator speaks
foreign language]
443
00:21:38,443 --> 00:21:39,703
[James] We decided that
444
00:21:39,803 --> 00:21:43,383
we would put the 10-year
phone call to her,
445
00:21:43,483 --> 00:21:45,623
and we started
playing that call.
446
00:21:45,723 --> 00:21:48,423
[phone ringing]
447
00:21:48,523 --> 00:21:51,223
[women speaking
foreign language on phone]
448
00:21:51,323 --> 00:21:53,343
[James] It was less than
about 30 seconds in
449
00:21:53,443 --> 00:21:56,943
before she asked me
to stop playing it
450
00:21:57,043 --> 00:21:59,163
and asked for the interview
to be ended.
451
00:22:03,043 --> 00:22:06,083
[women speaking
foreign language on phone]
452
00:22:12,083 --> 00:22:13,663
What would you like to tell me,
Hannah?
453
00:22:13,763 --> 00:22:15,463
[translator speaks
foreign language]
454
00:22:15,563 --> 00:22:17,563
[translator]
455
00:22:18,963 --> 00:22:20,963
You want to tell me, "No"?
456
00:22:22,283 --> 00:22:24,783
[Mae Ja speaks foreign language]
457
00:22:24,883 --> 00:22:26,883
[translator]
458
00:22:27,323 --> 00:22:28,983
[James] It was a moment there
459
00:22:29,083 --> 00:22:31,103
where it was clear
between her and I
460
00:22:31,203 --> 00:22:33,203
that she knew that we had her.
461
00:22:40,243 --> 00:22:42,183
[Nick] What do these photos
show?
462
00:22:42,283 --> 00:22:44,463
So, these are photos taken
from the commencement
463
00:22:44,563 --> 00:22:47,103
of the warrants within
Mae Ja Kim's apartment
464
00:22:47,203 --> 00:22:48,543
on Southbank.
465
00:22:48,643 --> 00:22:52,103
[James] We knew that Mae Ja
was quite the big spender
466
00:22:52,203 --> 00:22:54,203
at high-end boutiques.
467
00:22:54,923 --> 00:22:58,283
One wall, a dressing table there
full of designer label perfumes.
468
00:22:59,483 --> 00:23:01,423
[Danielle]
And that's a wall of shoes.
469
00:23:01,523 --> 00:23:03,023
And when you look at those,
I mean,
470
00:23:03,123 --> 00:23:04,983
you're talking about shoes
that are, you know,
471
00:23:05,083 --> 00:23:07,083
$500 a pair and up.
472
00:23:07,603 --> 00:23:08,823
[Nick] It's insane.
473
00:23:08,923 --> 00:23:11,383
[James] Several hundred
thousand dollars worth of bags.
474
00:23:11,483 --> 00:23:12,623
[Danielle] Easily.
475
00:23:12,723 --> 00:23:15,463
[Nick] It's actually
quite a striking image.
476
00:23:15,563 --> 00:23:20,263
Each bag is the exploitation
of many dozens of women.
477
00:23:20,363 --> 00:23:22,783
[Nick] What does that say
about her psychology? Is it...?
478
00:23:22,883 --> 00:23:25,023
Are we looking
at the former sex worker
479
00:23:25,123 --> 00:23:27,623
turned manager turned big boss, saying,
480
00:23:27,723 --> 00:23:29,503
"I've made it,
I've left the past behind,
481
00:23:29,603 --> 00:23:30,823
I'm now in charge"?
482
00:23:30,923 --> 00:23:32,923
Greed and power, I think,
being known.
483
00:23:34,563 --> 00:23:36,783
There's something
really striking
484
00:23:36,883 --> 00:23:40,863
about seeing ordinary names here.
485
00:23:40,963 --> 00:23:43,383
Like, it's a reminder
these are people.
486
00:23:43,483 --> 00:23:48,283
Jessica, Nadia, Jay, Sasha, Eva.
487
00:23:49,563 --> 00:23:52,123
- [James] And young people.
- Young people, yeah.
488
00:23:53,443 --> 00:23:57,703
How soon after Mae Ja Kim
left jail did the intel start
489
00:23:57,803 --> 00:24:00,143
trickling in that she might be
back up to her old ways?
490
00:24:00,243 --> 00:24:02,243
Very quickly.
491
00:24:11,083 --> 00:24:13,583
[Nick] How many times
have you made this trip
492
00:24:13,683 --> 00:24:17,383
on the trail of Mae Ja Kim
and that crime syndicate?
493
00:24:17,483 --> 00:24:19,483
[James] Countless.
494
00:24:22,043 --> 00:24:25,063
There's 39 there. Does that
bring back memories?
495
00:24:25,163 --> 00:24:27,063
Mm.
496
00:24:27,163 --> 00:24:30,183
This is certainly
open and running.
497
00:24:30,283 --> 00:24:32,283
Absolutely.
498
00:24:34,963 --> 00:24:36,983
[James] You know, it's crime
hiding in plain sight.
499
00:24:37,083 --> 00:24:39,383
You don't actually
see the impact.
500
00:24:39,483 --> 00:24:41,983
You know, if you drive along
one of these streets
501
00:24:42,083 --> 00:24:43,943
and see a shop
with a broken window,
502
00:24:44,043 --> 00:24:45,543
you see that there's crime
going on there
503
00:24:45,643 --> 00:24:46,823
or you see ambulances
504
00:24:46,923 --> 00:24:49,503
and police cars parked
at someone who's been beaten up.
505
00:24:49,603 --> 00:24:50,983
You can actually see that.
506
00:24:51,083 --> 00:24:53,063
But, you know,
behind closed doors
507
00:24:53,163 --> 00:24:55,163
in a brothel,
what's actually going on?
508
00:24:58,763 --> 00:25:01,383
You said before
you'd like to think that
509
00:25:01,483 --> 00:25:04,263
there wasn't still the same
tale of misery happening
510
00:25:04,363 --> 00:25:09,103
behind the four walls of 39,
yet you suspect it probably is.
511
00:25:09,203 --> 00:25:12,223
Is that just
the cynical detective in you
512
00:25:12,323 --> 00:25:13,983
or is that just,
that's organised crime?
513
00:25:14,083 --> 00:25:16,343
I'd like to think it wasn't
just the cynical detective.
514
00:25:16,443 --> 00:25:19,863
But I think, if you have a look
at what's been going on,
515
00:25:19,963 --> 00:25:21,223
you have a look at the people
516
00:25:21,323 --> 00:25:23,543
that are still
around the environment,
517
00:25:23,643 --> 00:25:27,483
that it seems more than likely
that that's still occurring.
518
00:25:39,403 --> 00:25:43,063
So, we're gonna meet
our undercover,
519
00:25:43,163 --> 00:25:44,583
our potential undercover.
520
00:25:44,683 --> 00:25:46,063
This is our first time
521
00:25:46,163 --> 00:25:48,743
we're gonna have a chat
with this guy,
522
00:25:48,843 --> 00:25:51,863
and see if he's prepared to go
and start helping us explore
523
00:25:51,963 --> 00:25:56,063
this Asian underground
sex industry
524
00:25:56,163 --> 00:25:58,163
and the organised criminals
behind it.
525
00:26:16,123 --> 00:26:20,263
[Nick] The idea is we send you
to target the sites
526
00:26:20,363 --> 00:26:22,023
where we think
this is happening,
527
00:26:22,123 --> 00:26:23,583
ask, "Can I have a service?"
528
00:26:23,683 --> 00:26:25,743
See how far you go.
529
00:26:25,843 --> 00:26:28,243
So, will you be comfortable
doing that, number one?
530
00:26:32,923 --> 00:26:35,963
Do you have a feel
for Chinese organised crime?
531
00:26:40,283 --> 00:26:41,583
Like, are you quick
on your feet?
532
00:26:41,683 --> 00:26:43,543
Are you good to...
If something hairy jumps up,
533
00:26:43,643 --> 00:26:45,643
do you feel comfortable
about dealing with it?
534
00:26:48,923 --> 00:26:50,303
'Cause one real basic thing
535
00:26:50,403 --> 00:26:51,983
is we can't have you having sex
with anybody.
536
00:26:52,083 --> 00:26:53,183
Nah, nah.
537
00:26:53,283 --> 00:26:54,543
- Let's put that on the table.
- Yeah.
538
00:26:54,643 --> 00:26:56,663
So, how do you then...? How do
you talk your way out of that?
539
00:26:56,763 --> 00:26:58,463
Is it, "I've got a sore back,
I'm impotent,
540
00:26:58,563 --> 00:27:00,563
I just want to talk,
I'm just lonely"?
541
00:27:03,163 --> 00:27:04,463
And, I guess,
one thing to think about,
542
00:27:04,563 --> 00:27:05,983
if we are successful,
543
00:27:06,083 --> 00:27:07,743
and maybe we don't...
maybe we're not,
544
00:27:07,843 --> 00:27:09,823
but, if we are,
there's every chance that...
545
00:27:09,923 --> 00:27:11,303
And we hope there's
a royal commission
546
00:27:11,403 --> 00:27:12,983
into human trafficking.
547
00:27:13,083 --> 00:27:14,303
All this vision, one day,
548
00:27:14,403 --> 00:27:15,583
you might be called
to the stand,
549
00:27:15,683 --> 00:27:17,023
I might be called to the stand.
550
00:27:17,123 --> 00:27:19,943
Mindful, at every step,
we are lawful...
551
00:27:20,043 --> 00:27:22,043
- Yeah, yeah.
- ethical and the rest of it.
552
00:27:23,923 --> 00:27:25,983
[Nick] I mean,
it's a good test, I think.
553
00:27:26,083 --> 00:27:27,783
Then we can look at the vision
you've got,
554
00:27:27,883 --> 00:27:30,943
see how you are on your feet
and get a sense
555
00:27:31,043 --> 00:27:33,163
of what it's gonna look like
and how you can do it.
556
00:27:40,323 --> 00:27:42,383
Yeah, yeah.
557
00:27:42,483 --> 00:27:43,583
Yeah.
558
00:27:43,683 --> 00:27:45,863
[James] So, this is Tope St
we're turning into now.
559
00:27:45,963 --> 00:27:48,203
And then we're
a couple of blocks up.
560
00:27:49,243 --> 00:27:51,243
[man] Yeah. Alright.
561
00:27:55,963 --> 00:27:57,263
Is it here?
562
00:27:57,363 --> 00:27:59,363
Here, you reckon?
563
00:28:00,083 --> 00:28:02,083
Hey, mate.
564
00:28:07,563 --> 00:28:09,563
Hey, mate. Ta.
565
00:28:12,203 --> 00:28:13,463
[man] Bit cold?
566
00:28:13,563 --> 00:28:15,563
- Oh yeah.
- Freezing.
567
00:28:18,403 --> 00:28:20,403
Yeah.
568
00:28:34,243 --> 00:28:36,243
Hello.
569
00:28:41,923 --> 00:28:43,923
- Tegan.
- How you going?
570
00:28:49,363 --> 00:28:53,343
Hey, how you going?
What's your name? Vicky?
571
00:28:53,443 --> 00:28:56,103
I see a world
that's very hard to look into
572
00:28:56,203 --> 00:28:59,663
by just going undercover
and walking into a brothel.
573
00:28:59,763 --> 00:29:03,143
You know, we're only going
undercover out of desperation
574
00:29:03,243 --> 00:29:05,523
because we don't have any way
of glimpsing into this world.
575
00:29:06,603 --> 00:29:08,863
But, ultimately,
the heart of this story is
576
00:29:08,963 --> 00:29:10,103
what is the experience
577
00:29:10,203 --> 00:29:13,523
of those women
who are on the inside?
578
00:29:14,483 --> 00:29:16,383
But it's bloody hard
to find anyone
579
00:29:16,483 --> 00:29:17,823
who's willing to talk to us.
580
00:29:17,923 --> 00:29:19,703
Why? Of course, they're scared.
581
00:29:19,803 --> 00:29:22,143
You know, we've been trying
for weeks and weeks now
582
00:29:22,243 --> 00:29:25,363
to get victims to talk to us,
and it's extremely difficult.
583
00:29:33,203 --> 00:29:34,663
Hi, Jiyoon.
584
00:29:34,763 --> 00:29:39,343
We know some of the victims are
back in Seoul or in South Korea.
585
00:29:39,443 --> 00:29:42,503
Even if I succeed
in finding one,
586
00:29:42,603 --> 00:29:48,623
it'd be really, really difficult
for her to come on camera and...
587
00:29:48,723 --> 00:29:51,063
- Yeah, I'll try my best.
- OK.
588
00:29:51,163 --> 00:29:52,583
- Nice meeting you.
- Be in touch.
589
00:29:52,683 --> 00:29:54,683
See ya, take care.
590
00:30:01,523 --> 00:30:03,823
I've just been given a call
from a source.
591
00:30:03,923 --> 00:30:05,663
That brothel we've been
targeting, number 39,
592
00:30:05,763 --> 00:30:08,423
the AFP have just raided that,
like, literally just raided it,
593
00:30:08,523 --> 00:30:11,023
and it's something to do with
some women from Asia
594
00:30:11,123 --> 00:30:14,023
who've come to Australia
and been taken to the brothel,
595
00:30:14,123 --> 00:30:17,063
and then have fled or left there
and told the police
596
00:30:17,163 --> 00:30:18,943
that they've allegedly
been coerced
597
00:30:19,043 --> 00:30:20,623
or held against their will
or threatened
598
00:30:20,723 --> 00:30:21,823
or something like that.
599
00:30:21,923 --> 00:30:25,063
So, our undercover guys
were there 24 hours ago.
600
00:30:25,163 --> 00:30:27,503
I think we've stumbled
right into the middle
601
00:30:27,603 --> 00:30:29,663
of a human traffic
investigation, which is good,
602
00:30:29,763 --> 00:30:32,123
it shows that our intel
is right.
603
00:30:41,603 --> 00:30:42,703
So, a bit of a breakthrough.
604
00:30:42,803 --> 00:30:44,343
We're just heading
to the airport now.
605
00:30:44,443 --> 00:30:47,663
Our South Korean collaborator,
a female journalist, Jiyoon,
606
00:30:47,763 --> 00:30:50,343
has found a victim who might
be willing to go on camera.
607
00:30:50,443 --> 00:30:52,423
If we can convince her
to talk to us,
608
00:30:52,523 --> 00:30:54,183
it's gonna be
exactly what we need
609
00:30:54,283 --> 00:30:56,703
to keep getting to the bottom
of what's been going on.
610
00:30:56,803 --> 00:30:58,803
Thanks very much.
611
00:31:01,603 --> 00:31:03,343
[male announcer]
Late customers in line,
612
00:31:03,443 --> 00:31:05,443
to proceed urgently...
613
00:31:22,803 --> 00:31:24,803
[phone beeps]
614
00:31:26,123 --> 00:31:27,223
[phone rings]
615
00:31:27,323 --> 00:31:28,503
[Jiyoon] Hello?
616
00:31:28,603 --> 00:31:30,743
- Hi, Jiyoon?
- Yes.
617
00:31:30,843 --> 00:31:34,783
We've just arrived in Seoul,
but I've got some bad news.
618
00:31:34,883 --> 00:31:36,823
OK?
619
00:31:36,923 --> 00:31:38,743
I've tested positive to COVID.
620
00:31:38,843 --> 00:31:42,383
- Oh, no.
- Yeah. Oh, no.
621
00:31:42,483 --> 00:31:44,063
I have to go in quarantine now
for seven days.
622
00:31:44,163 --> 00:31:45,303
[Jiyoon] My goodness.
623
00:31:45,403 --> 00:31:47,263
Yeah. Well, I'm hoping
you can really help us out here.
624
00:31:47,363 --> 00:31:49,703
Is the victim still
willing to talk to you,
625
00:31:49,803 --> 00:31:51,503
and is that all
going ahead smoothly?
626
00:31:51,603 --> 00:31:53,023
[Jiyoon] Oh...
627
00:31:53,123 --> 00:31:56,543
Actually, I heard
that she's still...
628
00:31:56,643 --> 00:31:59,623
She feels still sceptical
about media.
629
00:31:59,723 --> 00:32:01,183
I'm sort of desperate.
630
00:32:01,283 --> 00:32:03,283
We need your help.
631
00:32:39,523 --> 00:32:43,143
I'm stuck in my hotel quarantine
with COVID in South Korea.
632
00:32:43,243 --> 00:32:44,583
It's pretty tense for me here
633
00:32:44,683 --> 00:32:48,223
because I'm just waiting for
news from our crew,
634
00:32:48,323 --> 00:32:51,063
which has travelled down
to the safe house, to see
635
00:32:51,163 --> 00:32:54,143
if this human trafficking victim
has shown up to tell her story.
636
00:32:54,243 --> 00:32:57,063
This victim actually was
trafficked by the very syndicate
637
00:32:57,163 --> 00:32:59,223
that we're tracking
in Melbourne, Australia.
638
00:32:59,323 --> 00:33:01,223
So, to hear from her
to hear about
639
00:33:01,323 --> 00:33:04,283
how vulnerable women
are treated is just vital.
640
00:33:11,523 --> 00:33:13,523
[greets in Korean]
641
00:33:15,443 --> 00:33:17,463
Hi!
642
00:33:17,563 --> 00:33:18,943
- Hello.
- Hi.
643
00:33:19,043 --> 00:33:20,463
- Nice meeting you.
- You, too.
644
00:33:20,563 --> 00:33:25,783
As a reporter, it's my first
time doing a story like this.
645
00:33:25,883 --> 00:33:30,783
So, for me, yeah,
it's new and difficult.
646
00:33:30,883 --> 00:33:32,143
It's really important
647
00:33:32,243 --> 00:33:34,543
not to approach
this kind of issue
648
00:33:34,643 --> 00:33:36,623
with some kind of judgment.
649
00:33:36,723 --> 00:33:43,583
These are people who experienced
very horrific situations,
650
00:33:43,683 --> 00:33:49,703
so, um, I don't want
to become a reporter
651
00:33:49,803 --> 00:33:53,763
who, um,
hurts their feeling again.
652
00:33:55,243 --> 00:33:57,463
- [Nick] Good luck.
- Thank you.
653
00:33:57,563 --> 00:33:58,823
[woman] Thank you.
654
00:33:58,923 --> 00:34:00,923
- Talk to you later.
- [woman] OK.
655
00:36:46,083 --> 00:36:48,163
- Hey, mate, how are ya?
- Take a seat.
656
00:38:51,923 --> 00:38:53,183
[Jiyoon] How do you say it?
657
00:38:53,283 --> 00:38:56,723
I kind of respected
her strongness, I guess.
658
00:39:04,083 --> 00:39:08,063
In Korea, people's general
thinking about this industry
659
00:39:08,163 --> 00:39:12,943
is that women go into
that industry voluntarily,
660
00:39:13,043 --> 00:39:16,043
so it's... we don't have
to have pity on them.
661
00:39:27,603 --> 00:39:29,603
[uplifting music plays]
662
00:41:02,723 --> 00:41:05,463
- Jiyoon.
- Oh, hi, nice meeting you.
663
00:41:05,563 --> 00:41:07,183
- Finally.
- Finally.
664
00:41:07,283 --> 00:41:08,383
Nice to meet you, too, yeah.
665
00:41:08,483 --> 00:41:10,063
Oop.
666
00:41:10,163 --> 00:41:12,163
[lift door beeps]
667
00:41:12,603 --> 00:41:15,423
It's, like, ten times better
than our office.
668
00:41:15,523 --> 00:41:18,063
This is my... my filthy desk.
669
00:41:18,163 --> 00:41:20,103
Let me show you
something before...
670
00:41:20,203 --> 00:41:22,063
This might be, just,
slightly helpful.
671
00:41:22,163 --> 00:41:23,543
Are we not filming?
672
00:41:23,643 --> 00:41:25,863
Yeah, we just don't...
Just be careful what you say.
673
00:41:25,963 --> 00:41:27,963
Oh.
674
00:41:29,563 --> 00:41:31,563
We'll talk more off-camera
about that.
675
00:41:33,363 --> 00:41:35,223
So, were you scared
when you were meeting him?
676
00:41:35,323 --> 00:41:38,383
Not really because I was
at a coffee shop
677
00:41:38,483 --> 00:41:40,063
and there were a lot of people,
678
00:41:40,163 --> 00:41:42,183
so he wasn't very suspicious
about me.
679
00:41:42,283 --> 00:41:43,743
And did he say
you have to go to school?
680
00:41:43,843 --> 00:41:45,583
He said you don't have
to go to school.
681
00:41:45,683 --> 00:41:47,023
He actually advertises
like that.
682
00:41:47,123 --> 00:41:48,223
Yeah, yeah.
683
00:41:48,323 --> 00:41:49,543
So, it's a total rort,
it's a scam.
684
00:41:49,643 --> 00:41:51,643
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
685
00:42:30,443 --> 00:42:32,303
Excuse me, can I just interrupt?
686
00:42:32,403 --> 00:42:34,423
I'm Nick McKenzie
from the Australian media.
687
00:42:34,523 --> 00:42:36,143
We know you've been
helping women
688
00:42:36,243 --> 00:42:37,583
come to Australia from Korea,
689
00:42:37,683 --> 00:42:39,503
working for a sex syndicate.
690
00:42:39,603 --> 00:42:41,603
They're being abused.
They're being trafficked.
691
00:42:42,283 --> 00:42:44,283
Yeah, yeah, many many women.
Why do you do this?
692
00:42:47,643 --> 00:42:50,203
We can talk outside,
we'll talk outside, yeah.
693
00:42:54,603 --> 00:42:57,023
All these women, you bring
to Australia, you know...
694
00:42:57,123 --> 00:42:59,443
You know
they're being exploited.
695
00:43:15,123 --> 00:43:17,063
I am recording you. I'm asking
you some questions.
696
00:43:17,163 --> 00:43:19,063
You've helped all these women
come to Australia,
697
00:43:19,163 --> 00:43:20,743
working for an organised
crime syndicate.
698
00:43:20,843 --> 00:43:22,843
How do you justify that?
699
00:43:25,443 --> 00:43:26,623
Do you know what happens...?
700
00:43:26,723 --> 00:43:29,483
Do you know what happens to the
women that you help come here?
701
00:43:41,883 --> 00:43:44,203
I think I'm drawing him out.
She's ballsy.
702
00:43:45,483 --> 00:43:48,203
I did think for a second he was
gonna punch me in the face.
703
00:43:54,683 --> 00:43:56,983
God!
[Jiyoon laughs]
704
00:43:57,083 --> 00:43:59,283
- What happened?
- Oh!
705
00:44:00,443 --> 00:44:03,743
He keeps saying that he's not
involved with it anymore.
706
00:44:03,843 --> 00:44:05,183
- Did he know Mae Ja Kim?
- Yeah.
707
00:44:05,283 --> 00:44:06,383
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
708
00:44:06,483 --> 00:44:07,703
He said,
"Mimi Noona",
709
00:44:07,803 --> 00:44:09,423
which means
'really close sister'.
710
00:44:09,523 --> 00:44:11,583
'Noona' means
'close sister'.
711
00:44:11,683 --> 00:44:13,263
As in she was his close sister?
712
00:44:13,363 --> 00:44:14,503
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
713
00:44:14,603 --> 00:44:17,983
- I'm gonna call Mae Ja Kim now.
- Oh, OK.
714
00:44:18,083 --> 00:44:21,823
Ah, she's probably more likely
to talk to you, isn't she?
715
00:44:21,923 --> 00:44:26,303
She'll feel more comfortable if
I talk to her in Korean, yeah.
716
00:44:26,403 --> 00:44:28,983
So, I've been told, like,
from my policing sources
717
00:44:29,083 --> 00:44:31,363
she's extremely dangerous...
718
00:44:32,563 --> 00:44:34,963
extremely cunning, and just
be really, really careful.
719
00:44:37,323 --> 00:44:39,323
[phone ringtone plays]
720
00:44:40,523 --> 00:44:41,863
Mm.
721
00:44:41,963 --> 00:44:43,963
- Yeah.
- No.
722
00:44:44,723 --> 00:44:46,783
She's famous for changing
her number, so...
723
00:44:46,883 --> 00:44:48,063
- All the time, right?
- Yeah.
724
00:44:48,163 --> 00:44:50,463
So, these numbers could be dead.
725
00:44:50,563 --> 00:44:51,863
[phone ringing]
726
00:44:51,963 --> 00:44:53,223
- It's ringing.
- Mm.
727
00:44:53,323 --> 00:44:56,403
Hello. It's Nick McKenzie.
You were wanting to talk to me?
728
00:45:02,323 --> 00:45:05,263
I was the journalist yesterday.
I met...
729
00:45:05,363 --> 00:45:07,963
I confronted you yesterday
with Jiyoon.
730
00:45:18,443 --> 00:45:21,863
Ah, but, Doowon...
Doowon, no, no.
731
00:45:21,963 --> 00:45:24,663
You know they're working
for Mae Ja Kim,
732
00:45:24,763 --> 00:45:25,863
you know she's a criminal?
733
00:45:25,963 --> 00:45:27,963
You know she exploits women?
734
00:45:30,723 --> 00:45:32,423
Why don't you care?
These women...
735
00:45:32,523 --> 00:45:34,743
These women are being mistreated
by organised crime.
736
00:45:34,843 --> 00:45:36,843
Why don't you care?
737
00:45:45,843 --> 00:45:48,143
No, I'm a journalist and, no, of
course, you don't have to answer
738
00:45:48,243 --> 00:45:50,483
my questions, but you're the one
who wanted to talk to me.
739
00:45:53,883 --> 00:45:56,123
That's... Sorry, don't get cute.
740
00:45:57,083 --> 00:45:59,083
Jiyoon said you really
wanted to talk to me.
741
00:46:02,483 --> 00:46:06,223
Perspectives like Doowon
is kind of problem.
742
00:46:06,323 --> 00:46:07,703
Yeah.
743
00:46:07,803 --> 00:46:09,663
You know, these people,
lawyers, the accountants,
744
00:46:09,763 --> 00:46:11,663
the fixers,
the visa migration agents,
745
00:46:11,763 --> 00:46:13,983
they're the handmaidens
of organised crime.
746
00:46:14,083 --> 00:46:16,503
The gangster needs
the migration fixer,
747
00:46:16,603 --> 00:46:18,623
who needs the accountant,
who needs the lawyer.
748
00:46:18,723 --> 00:46:21,183
These people are,
"Oh, I'm just a guy in a suit.
749
00:46:21,283 --> 00:46:22,703
I don't know where...
750
00:46:22,803 --> 00:46:26,023
The girls end up in a brothel,
it's not my fault. I'm not..."
751
00:46:26,123 --> 00:46:27,983
And it's like, "No, no,
you are the infrastructure
752
00:46:28,083 --> 00:46:29,343
of organised crime.
753
00:46:29,443 --> 00:46:30,823
Without you,
it doesn't function."
754
00:46:30,923 --> 00:46:33,223
And I really hope we
get to expose them.
755
00:46:33,323 --> 00:46:35,143
I hope Australian people care.
756
00:46:35,243 --> 00:46:37,983
I'm scared that we'll do
all this work
757
00:46:38,083 --> 00:46:43,463
and, uh, the audience
will see a blacked-out face
758
00:46:43,563 --> 00:46:46,543
and they'll say,
"It's just an Asian sex worker.
759
00:46:46,643 --> 00:46:48,143
Who cares?"
760
00:46:48,243 --> 00:46:52,143
Demand, supply. Prostitution,
the world's oldest profession.
761
00:46:52,243 --> 00:46:55,823
People have different views,
so some would and some wouldn't,
762
00:46:55,923 --> 00:47:02,943
but I think, still,
it's our job to tell the story
763
00:47:03,043 --> 00:47:10,143
that human trafficking is wrong
and it's more sophisticated
764
00:47:10,243 --> 00:47:13,943
than you think,
and anybody can be victims.
765
00:47:14,043 --> 00:47:16,043
Mm.
766
00:47:19,083 --> 00:47:22,743
The same thing motivates me
that it did ten years ago,
767
00:47:22,843 --> 00:47:25,743
is, ultimately, who's paying the
biggest price out of all this?
768
00:47:25,843 --> 00:47:27,843
It's people.
769
00:47:28,643 --> 00:47:30,543
This is real people
770
00:47:30,643 --> 00:47:34,283
and they deserve
to have their rights protected.
771
00:47:37,123 --> 00:47:38,663
- Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you.
772
00:47:38,763 --> 00:47:41,083
- Shall we go grab a seat?
- Yeah, let's grab a seat.
773
00:47:42,363 --> 00:47:45,343
You've been into brothels,
been a sex worker yourself.
774
00:47:45,443 --> 00:47:48,543
How do we say to Johnny public,
775
00:47:48,643 --> 00:47:52,543
"How do we humanise
and ensure
776
00:47:52,643 --> 00:47:57,063
we care more about sex workers,
especially foreign sex workers?"
777
00:47:57,163 --> 00:47:58,983
Essentially, we have
this big problem
778
00:47:59,083 --> 00:48:01,543
where migrant sex workers
from Asia
779
00:48:01,643 --> 00:48:04,983
are either seen, on one hand,
seen as a victim
780
00:48:05,083 --> 00:48:08,063
but, on the other hand,
they're also seen as criminals.
781
00:48:08,163 --> 00:48:11,223
On top of the existing
what we call whorephobia,
782
00:48:11,323 --> 00:48:15,823
you have layers of kind of
racism and xenophobia
783
00:48:15,923 --> 00:48:17,263
come into play.
784
00:48:17,363 --> 00:48:20,623
People forget that
these are human beings,
785
00:48:20,723 --> 00:48:25,983
that, regardless of what you
think of this person's choices,
786
00:48:26,083 --> 00:48:29,303
they are entitled
to basic human rights.
787
00:48:29,403 --> 00:48:31,983
If there is trafficking
happening in the workplace,
788
00:48:32,083 --> 00:48:35,263
why are you not
looking after the workers?
789
00:48:35,363 --> 00:48:36,983
Why are you not ensuring
790
00:48:37,083 --> 00:48:39,463
that the workers
are receiving protection?
791
00:48:39,563 --> 00:48:43,383
The response is shut it down,
get them out of here.
792
00:48:43,483 --> 00:48:45,263
[Nick] Which is keeping people
who might think
793
00:48:45,363 --> 00:48:47,303
they're being exploited silent.
794
00:48:47,403 --> 00:48:50,063
If they go to the police,
they may not be believed
795
00:48:50,163 --> 00:48:52,743
or arrested themselves
and deported.
796
00:48:52,843 --> 00:48:54,463
What incentive is there
for somebody
797
00:48:54,563 --> 00:48:56,183
to come forward
in that situation?
798
00:48:56,283 --> 00:48:59,063
Do you think we have created
a second class of worker
799
00:48:59,163 --> 00:49:01,423
in Australia?
Someone without the rights
800
00:49:01,523 --> 00:49:03,383
of someone who may
have been born here?
801
00:49:03,483 --> 00:49:06,423
As Australian citizens,
we are willing
802
00:49:06,523 --> 00:49:11,503
to benefit off the labour
of migrant workers,
803
00:49:11,603 --> 00:49:14,183
but unwilling to provide them
any rights,
804
00:49:14,283 --> 00:49:18,103
and the Australian public,
Australian Government,
805
00:49:18,203 --> 00:49:20,283
is complicit
in that exploitation.
806
00:49:21,083 --> 00:49:23,803
Who are the crooks
in this scenario?
807
00:49:25,483 --> 00:49:28,743
Well, you know,
I think that there's a...
808
00:49:28,843 --> 00:49:31,843
There's a lot of crooks
in this scenario, really.
809
00:49:46,163 --> 00:49:50,783
Over the road
is a massage centre in Hawthorn,
810
00:49:50,883 --> 00:49:52,883
it's pretty wealthy
suburban Melbourne.
811
00:49:53,923 --> 00:49:57,183
So, the story the source tells
is, basically, Mae Ja Kim
812
00:49:57,283 --> 00:50:01,203
is still operating, and that's
where her operation is now.
813
00:50:02,563 --> 00:50:03,663
Our source actually said
814
00:50:03,763 --> 00:50:05,463
they knew that passports
had been taken away,
815
00:50:05,563 --> 00:50:07,543
and they knew that women
had been assaulted
816
00:50:07,643 --> 00:50:09,103
quite viciously, sometimes,
817
00:50:09,203 --> 00:50:11,883
if they challenged Mae Ja Kim
about their conditions.
818
00:50:15,083 --> 00:50:16,983
I'm gonna walk in
and ask to speak to her.
819
00:50:17,083 --> 00:50:19,303
I'll be polite, respectful,
explain who I am,
820
00:50:19,403 --> 00:50:22,703
and say, "You've never told
your story in your words.
821
00:50:22,803 --> 00:50:24,803
Will you speak to me?"
822
00:50:27,283 --> 00:50:29,943
I feel a little bit scared.
She's known to be dangerous.
823
00:50:30,043 --> 00:50:31,663
It might sound odd
me saying that,
824
00:50:31,763 --> 00:50:33,763
but she's an
organised crime figure.
825
00:50:34,243 --> 00:50:36,303
To finally come
face to face with us...
826
00:50:36,403 --> 00:50:38,603
It's been a long time coming.
827
00:50:42,963 --> 00:50:44,463
[footsteps approach]
828
00:50:44,563 --> 00:50:45,983
- Hello!
- Hi.
829
00:50:46,083 --> 00:50:47,663
- My name is Nick McKenzie.
- Yes.
830
00:50:47,763 --> 00:50:50,183
I'm the journalist.
I was hoping to talk to you.
831
00:50:50,283 --> 00:50:51,543
- Yeah, yeah.
- Is that OK?
832
00:50:51,643 --> 00:50:52,743
- Yeah.
- Yeah, can we...?
833
00:50:52,843 --> 00:50:54,063
I don't want to be in a room.
834
00:50:54,163 --> 00:50:55,543
Is it OK if we can
come out and sit out...?
835
00:50:55,643 --> 00:50:57,643
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
836
00:51:00,083 --> 00:51:02,203
- This is... This is my name.
- Oh, yeah.
837
00:51:03,043 --> 00:51:05,023
I want to ask you about the
women coming from Korea.
838
00:51:05,123 --> 00:51:08,123
You know, you're exploiting
the women coming from Korea.
839
00:51:08,963 --> 00:51:10,663
Yeah, you take
the women's passports.
840
00:51:10,763 --> 00:51:13,363
You exploit the sex workers
coming from Korea.
841
00:51:15,683 --> 00:51:16,943
You know, the human trafficking,
842
00:51:17,043 --> 00:51:19,043
you were charged
with trafficking women.
843
00:51:19,683 --> 00:51:23,323
Yeah, you're Mae Ja Kim.
Remember, you went to prison.
844
00:51:30,683 --> 00:51:32,683
- He's looking, looking.
- It's OK.
845
00:51:34,043 --> 00:51:36,763
I want to talk to you.
Can you call me?
846
00:51:57,043 --> 00:51:59,043
Yeah, OK.
847
00:52:01,283 --> 00:52:03,103
We're from The Age.
You've got my name.
848
00:52:03,203 --> 00:52:04,983
Can you please call me
or send me a message?
849
00:52:05,083 --> 00:52:08,123
OK, thank you, thank you.
850
00:52:11,763 --> 00:52:14,043
She denied being involved
in trafficking.
851
00:52:15,123 --> 00:52:17,123
She started to cry at the end.
852
00:52:18,163 --> 00:52:21,023
But I don't know
what to make of it. Um...
853
00:52:21,123 --> 00:52:24,543
It was upsetting in some ways,
I don't know.
854
00:52:24,643 --> 00:52:26,223
She put on
a very good performance.
855
00:52:26,323 --> 00:52:27,983
I mean, to be honest,
I felt sorry for her.
856
00:52:28,083 --> 00:52:30,623
Um, but I've been warned
that's what she does,
857
00:52:30,723 --> 00:52:33,263
she's very manipulative,
master manipulator.
858
00:52:33,363 --> 00:52:36,823
What we do know, though, is
she's running a massage parlour.
859
00:52:36,923 --> 00:52:38,963
It looks a lot like a brothel
to me...
860
00:52:40,163 --> 00:52:42,163
an illegal brothel, and...
861
00:52:45,443 --> 00:52:47,443
Years go past
and nothing changes.
862
00:52:53,323 --> 00:52:54,663
Some new sources
have come forward.
863
00:52:54,763 --> 00:52:56,763
They've heard I'm looking
into human trafficking.
864
00:52:57,603 --> 00:52:58,743
I've just got a call,
865
00:52:58,843 --> 00:53:01,303
with a potentially
very juicy tip,
866
00:53:01,403 --> 00:53:04,083
about an unknown
trafficking boss.
867
00:53:05,163 --> 00:53:08,063
My gut tells me this could
open up this investigation
868
00:53:08,163 --> 00:53:10,163
into a whole new direction.
869
00:53:17,363 --> 00:53:20,243
[male voice slowed down,
indistinct]
870
00:53:26,323 --> 00:53:30,743
So, my source has identified
one name that we should look at.
871
00:53:30,843 --> 00:53:33,123
[under his breath]
Bin Jun Xie...
872
00:53:34,443 --> 00:53:38,343
A really shadowy crime boss,
873
00:53:38,443 --> 00:53:40,543
someone who I think
is very high up.
874
00:53:40,643 --> 00:53:43,023
We think this crime boss
might be supplying the women
875
00:53:43,123 --> 00:53:46,463
to syndicates
all over the country.
876
00:53:46,563 --> 00:53:48,743
Investigative journalism
is not rocket science.
877
00:53:48,843 --> 00:53:51,643
Sometimes, it's just a matter
of googling someone's email.
878
00:53:52,643 --> 00:53:53,943
I just got a hit.
879
00:53:54,043 --> 00:53:57,463
I've got an address
in Chinatown in Sydney.
880
00:53:57,563 --> 00:53:59,563
Let's look.
881
00:54:01,723 --> 00:54:04,263
There's an old article here,
ten years or so old
882
00:54:04,363 --> 00:54:07,863
from the UK press,
saying a Bin Jun Xie,
883
00:54:07,963 --> 00:54:09,703
about the same age,
884
00:54:09,803 --> 00:54:12,763
is arrested in the UK
for human trafficking.
885
00:54:13,763 --> 00:54:17,163
If this is the right
Bin Jun Xie, it's huge.
886
00:54:18,883 --> 00:54:21,063
- Hello.
- Hi, is that Kevin?
887
00:54:21,163 --> 00:54:22,463
Yes, yes.
888
00:54:22,563 --> 00:54:24,943
Kevin, it's Nick McKenzie,
the journalist from Australia
889
00:54:25,043 --> 00:54:26,703
who reached out on LinkedIn.
890
00:54:26,803 --> 00:54:28,843
Let me send you a picture.
891
00:54:29,723 --> 00:54:30,863
[tone chiming]
892
00:54:30,963 --> 00:54:33,783
Is that the same Bin Jun Xie
that you arrested?
893
00:54:33,883 --> 00:54:35,303
That's exactly him, yeah,
894
00:54:35,403 --> 00:54:37,143
that's how I remember him, yeah.
895
00:54:37,243 --> 00:54:40,423
Exactly. He's not a nice bloke.
896
00:54:40,523 --> 00:54:42,623
I know we used to send
our criminals to you,
897
00:54:42,723 --> 00:54:45,703
but, I mean, it's a serious
conviction he's got here.
898
00:54:45,803 --> 00:54:47,583
Is he a human trafficker?
899
00:54:47,683 --> 00:54:49,683
Oh, yeah, he's definitely
involved in that, yeah.
900
00:54:51,283 --> 00:54:53,283
Bingo.
901
00:54:59,203 --> 00:55:01,183
[clapperboard snaps]
902
00:55:01,283 --> 00:55:04,183
I'd like to start
by showing you a photo.
903
00:55:04,283 --> 00:55:08,103
- Do you recognise that person?
- Yeah, that's Bin Jun Xie.
904
00:55:08,203 --> 00:55:09,463
Bin Jun Xie.
905
00:55:09,563 --> 00:55:11,023
He's unforgettable.
906
00:55:11,123 --> 00:55:12,303
Why is he unforgettable?
907
00:55:12,403 --> 00:55:15,303
I sat across the table from him
for four hours interviewing him
908
00:55:15,403 --> 00:55:19,083
about sex trafficking
and brothels in the UK.
909
00:55:19,923 --> 00:55:21,783
[Kevin] 17 people
will be locked up for this
910
00:55:21,883 --> 00:55:23,983
and at the top was Bin Jun Xie.
911
00:55:24,083 --> 00:55:26,623
How would you describe
the scale of the operation?
912
00:55:26,723 --> 00:55:31,503
Oh, it was enormous.
Absolutely enormous.
913
00:55:31,603 --> 00:55:35,483
It was complex. We knew that
we were onto something big.
914
00:55:36,603 --> 00:55:38,983
It's only when we started
to see the money come in
915
00:55:39,083 --> 00:55:40,863
from different towns
916
00:55:40,963 --> 00:55:42,503
that we realised, actually,
917
00:55:42,603 --> 00:55:44,603
this is right
across the country.
918
00:55:46,883 --> 00:55:50,423
[Kevin] Girls were coming from
China, Macau, places like that.
919
00:55:50,523 --> 00:55:52,103
They were losing their passports
on the way.
920
00:55:52,203 --> 00:55:53,503
They were losing
their identities,
921
00:55:53,603 --> 00:55:55,343
and they were being picked up
at the airport
922
00:55:55,443 --> 00:55:57,443
and taken straight
to the sex industry.
923
00:55:57,883 --> 00:55:59,663
We would watch them arrive,
they would go in
924
00:55:59,763 --> 00:56:02,083
and they wouldn't come out
again... ever.
925
00:56:03,043 --> 00:56:04,863
They stayed naked
most of the time
926
00:56:04,963 --> 00:56:06,963
or semi-naked most of the time.
927
00:56:07,643 --> 00:56:09,383
They were there to perform
only one thing,
928
00:56:09,483 --> 00:56:11,483
and that was all they did.
929
00:56:12,443 --> 00:56:14,763
The girls were
effectively prisoners.
930
00:56:17,803 --> 00:56:19,223
So, how did you actually
track down
931
00:56:19,323 --> 00:56:21,223
the syndicate to here?
932
00:56:21,323 --> 00:56:22,783
Yeah, this is it here.
933
00:56:22,883 --> 00:56:25,663
So, downstairs
is where the punters went in,
934
00:56:25,763 --> 00:56:28,343
down these steps here
onto the door down there,
935
00:56:28,443 --> 00:56:31,503
and the girl was in the bedroom
up here.
936
00:56:31,603 --> 00:56:34,463
Pretty grubby, very basic.
There was nothing much in there.
937
00:56:34,563 --> 00:56:37,223
There was a bed, a sheet on it.
938
00:56:37,323 --> 00:56:41,023
There was no real clothes
in there for the girl.
939
00:56:41,123 --> 00:56:42,503
How many sites like this
were there
940
00:56:42,603 --> 00:56:43,823
around the whole of the UK?
941
00:56:43,923 --> 00:56:45,463
- Around the UK like this?
- Yeah.
942
00:56:45,563 --> 00:56:46,703
- Hundreds.
- Yeah.
943
00:56:46,803 --> 00:56:48,803
Hundreds and hundreds.
944
00:56:49,163 --> 00:56:51,023
Every time they shut down
the brothel,
945
00:56:51,123 --> 00:56:53,743
the girls performing
had no ID.
946
00:56:53,843 --> 00:56:56,663
None of them were actually
legal here.
947
00:56:56,763 --> 00:56:58,743
Not one, not one person.
948
00:56:58,843 --> 00:57:00,943
These girls are not willing
949
00:57:01,043 --> 00:57:03,183
and they're not willing to talk, neither.
950
00:57:03,283 --> 00:57:05,223
Why were they so reluctant
to talk,
951
00:57:05,323 --> 00:57:06,463
to trust British police?
952
00:57:06,563 --> 00:57:08,103
If you're part
of an organised crime group,
953
00:57:08,203 --> 00:57:10,663
and you're the person who brings
the organised crime group down,
954
00:57:10,763 --> 00:57:12,763
you can expect the repercussions
from that.
955
00:57:15,203 --> 00:57:17,623
What do you think
people like Bin Jun Xie
956
00:57:17,723 --> 00:57:20,623
had over these girls
to keep them so compliant,
957
00:57:20,723 --> 00:57:22,103
to keep them prisoners?
958
00:57:22,203 --> 00:57:24,183
Physically,
he's nothing physically.
959
00:57:24,283 --> 00:57:28,343
It's mental, I think.
Fear, I think.
960
00:57:28,443 --> 00:57:31,383
Bin Jun Xie had a nickname.
He was referred to as Hammer.
961
00:57:31,483 --> 00:57:32,663
As Hammer?
962
00:57:32,763 --> 00:57:34,763
He was referred to as Hammer, yeah.
963
00:57:35,843 --> 00:57:37,783
Hundreds of thousands
of pounds went through
964
00:57:37,883 --> 00:57:40,783
Bin Jun Xie's own personal
accounts in unidentified cash.
965
00:57:40,883 --> 00:57:43,103
The money you saw
was the tip of the iceberg?
966
00:57:43,203 --> 00:57:44,743
Definitely, yeah, definitely.
967
00:57:44,843 --> 00:57:46,263
We only know what we know.
968
00:57:46,363 --> 00:57:48,963
It's the thing
that we don't know is bigger.
969
00:57:49,923 --> 00:57:51,743
[Kevin] Every line
that comes out of here
970
00:57:51,843 --> 00:57:53,783
is a piece of evidence
that connects Bin Jun Xie
971
00:57:53,883 --> 00:57:56,503
to a brothel or to a name
or to a bank account.
972
00:57:56,603 --> 00:57:59,983
There was 68,000 pages
of evidence and, as I took him
973
00:58:00,083 --> 00:58:02,783
through the charts, I could see
the penny dropping on his face.
974
00:58:02,883 --> 00:58:06,143
- And he knew?
- He knew I had him, he knew.
975
00:58:06,243 --> 00:58:08,983
Surely, someone in Australia
should've said,
976
00:58:09,083 --> 00:58:11,423
"You're not allowed here, mate,
you just got out of jail
977
00:58:11,523 --> 00:58:14,063
in Britain
for human trafficking."
978
00:58:14,163 --> 00:58:16,583
Yeah, I... I thought
that might be the case.
979
00:58:16,683 --> 00:58:18,543
I thought Australia
was hard to get into.
980
00:58:18,643 --> 00:58:20,503
Bearing in mind
that he was jailed here
981
00:58:20,603 --> 00:58:22,383
for I think it was five,
maybe six years
982
00:58:22,483 --> 00:58:24,943
with a condition that he was
deported back to China
983
00:58:25,043 --> 00:58:26,783
upon his release,
and it seems that
984
00:58:26,883 --> 00:58:28,863
he's gone straight back to China
and then straight into Australia
985
00:58:28,963 --> 00:58:30,343
and started again.
986
00:58:30,443 --> 00:58:31,783
It's... It's unbelievable.
987
00:58:31,883 --> 00:58:34,503
What would your message be
to Australian authorities
988
00:58:34,603 --> 00:58:37,263
about the need
to catch up with this guy?
989
00:58:37,363 --> 00:58:41,263
If he's doing it again, then,
if you keep letting it go,
990
00:58:41,363 --> 00:58:43,363
he's only gonna get bigger.
991
00:58:51,723 --> 00:58:53,723
[footsteps clop]
992
00:58:58,723 --> 00:59:00,723
You coming out?
993
00:59:11,403 --> 00:59:12,623
So, we have a target.
994
00:59:12,723 --> 00:59:14,463
Name's Bin Jun Xie.
995
00:59:14,563 --> 00:59:17,303
He's a likely human trafficking
senior boss.
996
00:59:17,403 --> 00:59:20,423
But we don't know whether
the Bin Jun Xie we suspect
997
00:59:20,523 --> 00:59:21,663
is the trafficking boss
998
00:59:21,763 --> 00:59:23,503
is the same Bin Jun Xie
as we found.
999
00:59:23,603 --> 00:59:26,343
More than anything else, we need
to get a photo of the guy.
1000
00:59:26,443 --> 00:59:28,383
If we can match this person,
1001
00:59:28,483 --> 00:59:30,483
it opens up
a whole can of worms.
1002
00:59:46,283 --> 00:59:48,803
[tense music plays]
1003
01:00:20,843 --> 01:00:22,263
There's no doubt...
1004
01:00:22,363 --> 01:00:24,703
I've got his face frozen
on the computer.
1005
01:00:24,803 --> 01:00:27,163
There's no doubt
that's Bin Jun Xie.
1006
01:00:29,723 --> 01:00:31,583
There's fresh intelligence
we've uncovered,
1007
01:00:31,683 --> 01:00:33,063
which is very credible,
1008
01:00:33,163 --> 01:00:35,983
that shows people with a deep
involvement in organised crime,
1009
01:00:36,083 --> 01:00:37,343
in violence,
in human trafficking.
1010
01:00:37,443 --> 01:00:40,703
So, Bin Jun Xie looks like
he's running girls
1011
01:00:40,803 --> 01:00:43,423
all across the country
across state borders.
1012
01:00:43,523 --> 01:00:45,423
We're talking hundreds of girls.
1013
01:00:45,523 --> 01:00:47,663
We're talking
dozens of bank accounts.
1014
01:00:47,763 --> 01:00:50,103
We're talking dozens
of mid-level managers.
1015
01:00:50,203 --> 01:00:51,823
We're talking
fake mobile phones,
1016
01:00:51,923 --> 01:00:53,423
fake bank accounts
1017
01:00:53,523 --> 01:00:55,523
or bank accounts
in dummies names.
1018
01:01:15,403 --> 01:01:17,403
Grab a seat there.
1019
01:01:18,083 --> 01:01:19,743
So, since the last time
I spoke to you,
1020
01:01:19,843 --> 01:01:21,383
I've probably spent six weeks
1021
01:01:21,483 --> 01:01:24,103
building the best
intelligence picture I can
1022
01:01:24,203 --> 01:01:26,503
of the syndicate in Queensland,
1023
01:01:26,603 --> 01:01:29,543
which has actually been busted
a few times by police.
1024
01:01:29,643 --> 01:01:31,983
And it's fascinating because
what the syndicate is doing
1025
01:01:32,083 --> 01:01:35,183
is using the motels
as illegal brothels,
1026
01:01:35,283 --> 01:01:38,463
places to house the Asian women
who are working as sex workers.
1027
01:01:38,563 --> 01:01:40,303
What we want you to see
if we can confirm is,
1028
01:01:40,403 --> 01:01:42,543
are these motels
still being used
1029
01:01:42,643 --> 01:01:45,983
to house Asian sex workers
by the syndicate?
1030
01:01:46,083 --> 01:01:47,943
You've got a very few chances
1031
01:01:48,043 --> 01:01:51,343
to get the evidence on camera
that we need.
1032
01:01:51,443 --> 01:01:53,543
If the motels are all connected,
you go to two...
1033
01:01:53,643 --> 01:01:55,623
"Hang on, this bloke
keeps showing up at motels."
1034
01:01:55,723 --> 01:01:57,703
You can't pay for a sex act,
1035
01:01:57,803 --> 01:01:59,983
so that's going to be suspicious
in and of itself.
1036
01:02:00,083 --> 01:02:02,583
So, are you gonna film
as you go?
1037
01:02:02,683 --> 01:02:04,943
I suppose that's an option.
1038
01:02:05,043 --> 01:02:08,603
It's a pretty... I suppose,
pretty risky.
1039
01:02:26,363 --> 01:02:29,623
There we go, Zoe, age 21. Townsville.
1040
01:02:29,723 --> 01:02:31,743
This number is linked
1041
01:02:31,843 --> 01:02:34,183
to the suspected
trafficking syndicate.
1042
01:02:34,283 --> 01:02:35,743
We call this number now,
1043
01:02:35,843 --> 01:02:38,583
we want to be taken to ideally
the site of their operation,
1044
01:02:38,683 --> 01:02:40,183
which we think might be
the motel.
1045
01:02:40,283 --> 01:02:42,023
[phone ringing]
1046
01:02:42,123 --> 01:02:44,343
[operator voice] The person
you've called is not available.
1047
01:02:44,443 --> 01:02:46,743
So, they've just texted you
just now.
1048
01:02:46,843 --> 01:02:52,103
"Hello. My full G fee E service
is 15 minutes, $120.
1049
01:02:52,203 --> 01:02:54,983
60 minutes, $250.
Two times cum.
1050
01:02:55,083 --> 01:02:58,023
Address is the [bleep] Motel."
1051
01:02:58,123 --> 01:02:59,703
Boom, motel.
1052
01:02:59,803 --> 01:03:01,783
Let me just call the contact.
1053
01:03:01,883 --> 01:03:03,783
It's Nick here.
1054
01:03:03,883 --> 01:03:05,823
I was wondering if any
of your people would know
1055
01:03:05,923 --> 01:03:09,663
if the [bleep] Motel rings
a bell linked to this syndicate.
1056
01:03:09,763 --> 01:03:11,543
Yeah, terrific, OK,
we'll get cracking.
1057
01:03:11,643 --> 01:03:13,463
Thanks so much, appreciate it.
1058
01:03:13,563 --> 01:03:14,983
Let's be very careful
about that, guys.
1059
01:03:15,083 --> 01:03:17,083
That's a human source.
1060
01:03:17,443 --> 01:03:20,143
Our thesis was they're running
possibly trafficked
1061
01:03:20,243 --> 01:03:22,263
but certainly exploited
Asian women
1062
01:03:22,363 --> 01:03:24,223
across all these motels
down the east coast,
1063
01:03:24,323 --> 01:03:26,223
they're making tens of millions
of dollars,
1064
01:03:26,323 --> 01:03:28,343
and the very first phone call
we've made
1065
01:03:28,443 --> 01:03:31,503
has directed us to a motel which
they probably own or control.
1066
01:03:31,603 --> 01:03:33,183
So, you guys hit the road
and good luck.
1067
01:03:33,283 --> 01:03:35,103
So, all we needed our undercover
to do
1068
01:03:35,203 --> 01:03:37,063
was to go inside the motel,
and be directed to a room,
1069
01:03:37,163 --> 01:03:39,263
maybe meet a girl,
maybe meet two
1070
01:03:39,363 --> 01:03:41,363
and then get the hell
out of there.
1071
01:03:54,683 --> 01:03:56,683
[knocking]
1072
01:03:58,563 --> 01:04:00,563
Hello.
1073
01:04:27,603 --> 01:04:29,843
[man] Just walking into
what was the Hume.
1074
01:05:18,163 --> 01:05:20,163
[knocking]
1075
01:05:24,163 --> 01:05:25,383
Good, I'm good.
1076
01:05:25,483 --> 01:05:27,483
[both laugh]
1077
01:05:31,443 --> 01:05:33,443
Yeah.
1078
01:05:36,843 --> 01:05:38,843
Um...
1079
01:05:41,563 --> 01:05:43,563
- Alright.
- OK.
1080
01:05:44,123 --> 01:05:46,123
- Yeah, yeah.
- Yeah.
1081
01:05:49,323 --> 01:05:51,343
Ah, Lisa.
1082
01:05:51,443 --> 01:05:53,443
Alright.
1083
01:05:54,443 --> 01:05:56,443
[Nick] It's good.
It's really useful.
1084
01:05:57,963 --> 01:05:59,143
No, no, I think it's perfect.
1085
01:05:59,243 --> 01:06:00,583
I thought it'd be a lot harder
to do
1086
01:06:00,683 --> 01:06:02,683
what you guys have just done.
1087
01:06:23,083 --> 01:06:24,623
[Nick] You seem
extremely passionate about
1088
01:06:24,723 --> 01:06:29,023
combatting this crime type
but why are you so passionate?
1089
01:06:29,123 --> 01:06:32,423
[Brad] I detest people
that make financial gain
1090
01:06:32,523 --> 01:06:34,343
through the suffering of others.
1091
01:06:34,443 --> 01:06:36,183
[clapperboard snaps]
1092
01:06:36,283 --> 01:06:41,103
How did your detectives stumble
across the motel syndicate?
1093
01:06:41,203 --> 01:06:43,543
Where did you get the first hint
that someone like this
1094
01:06:43,643 --> 01:06:44,743
was up and running?
1095
01:06:44,843 --> 01:06:47,183
So, the Major and
Organised Crimes Squad
1096
01:06:47,283 --> 01:06:48,743
started looking at complaints
1097
01:06:48,843 --> 01:06:51,503
of illegal prostitution
activities in North Queensland.
1098
01:06:51,603 --> 01:06:54,943
As a result of investigating
those complaints,
1099
01:06:55,043 --> 01:06:57,223
we were able to quickly
establish that there was
1100
01:06:57,323 --> 01:07:00,703
a much more sinister and bigger
picture behind this offending.
1101
01:07:00,803 --> 01:07:04,503
We had to reach the point
where we stopped
1102
01:07:04,603 --> 01:07:07,863
looking at the sex workers
themselves as offenders
1103
01:07:07,963 --> 01:07:10,463
but as victims, as pawns
in a much bigger picture
1104
01:07:10,563 --> 01:07:11,823
of organised crime.
1105
01:07:11,923 --> 01:07:16,023
These organised crime syndicates
arrange for vulnerable women
1106
01:07:16,123 --> 01:07:17,543
to be brought into the country.
1107
01:07:17,643 --> 01:07:20,183
They don't speak the language,
so they're put into a motel
1108
01:07:20,283 --> 01:07:23,303
in a town where they have
no contact, no support.
1109
01:07:23,403 --> 01:07:26,103
They stay in that room,
they live in that room,
1110
01:07:26,203 --> 01:07:27,703
they work out of that room
1111
01:07:27,803 --> 01:07:30,463
until they are moved like cattle
across the country
1112
01:07:30,563 --> 01:07:34,263
into different motels
to perform the same functions.
1113
01:07:34,363 --> 01:07:38,223
They're put in the back corner,
out of the way,
1114
01:07:38,323 --> 01:07:40,823
and, you know, if you were to
sit here for a period of time,
1115
01:07:40,923 --> 01:07:43,243
you'd see the people
coming and going.
1116
01:07:45,163 --> 01:07:47,783
[Nick] The money the syndicate
makes through motels like this
1117
01:07:47,883 --> 01:07:50,423
is then pumped into buying
fresh motels, fresh properties?
1118
01:07:50,523 --> 01:07:52,623
You're talking hundreds
of millions of dollars,
1119
01:07:52,723 --> 01:07:54,143
and that's why they've set up across...
1120
01:07:54,243 --> 01:07:55,863
up and down the east coast
of Queensland.
1121
01:07:55,963 --> 01:07:58,283
I'm really quite confident
it's all over Australia.
1122
01:08:00,283 --> 01:08:02,503
What you're saying is
it's a hell of a lot bigger
1123
01:08:02,603 --> 01:08:05,383
than has been
publicly revealed to date?
1124
01:08:05,483 --> 01:08:08,703
It's certainly, in my
estimation, much, much bigger.
1125
01:08:08,803 --> 01:08:11,263
Why isn't more being done
to stop this trade?
1126
01:08:11,363 --> 01:08:14,923
[sighs] That's a really
difficult question.
1127
01:08:16,163 --> 01:08:18,063
I think it's not an easy
piece of work.
1128
01:08:18,163 --> 01:08:20,223
It's an issue the community
aren't really aware of.
1129
01:08:20,323 --> 01:08:22,623
It's an issue that's really
difficult to investigate.
1130
01:08:22,723 --> 01:08:26,143
We need to target the wealth
and the profit being generated.
1131
01:08:26,243 --> 01:08:29,263
That's where, as investigators
or law enforcement,
1132
01:08:29,363 --> 01:08:31,363
I see our opportunities.
1133
01:08:34,443 --> 01:08:35,743
[phone chimes]
1134
01:08:35,843 --> 01:08:37,023
[man] Here it is.
1135
01:08:37,123 --> 01:08:38,423
There's full service.
1136
01:08:38,523 --> 01:08:39,743
Body rub, a BJ.
1137
01:08:39,843 --> 01:08:41,983
No natural sex, no anal.
1138
01:08:42,083 --> 01:08:47,583
[Nick] Boom, the [bleep] Hotel
is one of the syndicate hotels.
1139
01:08:47,683 --> 01:08:50,183
Interestingly,
owned out of China.
1140
01:08:50,283 --> 01:08:52,463
[man] Can be there soon
if it's OK?
1141
01:08:52,563 --> 01:08:54,463
Room 220?
1142
01:08:54,563 --> 01:08:57,983
OK, just go up these stairs
here, turn left.
1143
01:08:58,083 --> 01:09:00,083
[knocking]
1144
01:09:01,723 --> 01:09:03,023
- Hello.
- Hi, hello.
1145
01:09:03,123 --> 01:09:04,463
Is this Level 3?
1146
01:09:04,563 --> 01:09:05,663
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
1147
01:09:05,763 --> 01:09:06,863
Right place?
1148
01:09:06,963 --> 01:09:08,623
It's dark.
1149
01:09:08,723 --> 01:09:10,723
I can't see you.
1150
01:09:11,723 --> 01:09:13,723
Can't see you properly.
1151
01:09:15,003 --> 01:09:16,143
You?
1152
01:09:16,243 --> 01:09:18,423
Little English.
I understand you.
1153
01:09:18,523 --> 01:09:20,523
Me show you some more.
1154
01:09:22,043 --> 01:09:24,043
It depends
on what the prices are.
1155
01:09:24,883 --> 01:09:26,623
Yeah, is?
1156
01:09:26,723 --> 01:09:27,823
$150.
1157
01:09:27,923 --> 01:09:29,343
And what do I get for that?
1158
01:09:29,443 --> 01:09:31,443
I was thinking someone younger.
1159
01:09:31,963 --> 01:09:33,963
Yeah.
1160
01:09:35,843 --> 01:09:37,383
[Nick] I think people
have a misconception
1161
01:09:37,483 --> 01:09:40,463
that police and law enforcement
is everywhere.
1162
01:09:40,563 --> 01:09:44,703
But the truth is there's
extremely limited resources.
1163
01:09:44,803 --> 01:09:47,503
Yeah, often, they're doing
a tremendous job
1164
01:09:47,603 --> 01:09:49,263
with those limited resources,
1165
01:09:49,363 --> 01:09:53,023
but politics and other pressures
come to bear.
1166
01:09:53,123 --> 01:09:56,103
And I always think of
what a detective said to me.
1167
01:09:56,203 --> 01:09:58,423
He said there is the crime
we accept
1168
01:09:58,523 --> 01:10:00,423
and the crime we don't,
and the crime we accept
1169
01:10:00,523 --> 01:10:03,023
is the crime the police forces
say, "Well, it's too hard,"
1170
01:10:03,123 --> 01:10:04,543
or it's not
a political priority.
1171
01:10:04,643 --> 01:10:07,743
[indistinct chatter]
1172
01:10:07,843 --> 01:10:09,823
And human trafficking, unfortunately,
1173
01:10:09,923 --> 01:10:12,143
is one of those crime types,
1174
01:10:12,243 --> 01:10:14,623
and that's because
it's too hard, too expensive,
1175
01:10:14,723 --> 01:10:16,723
and too difficult
to investigate.
1176
01:10:30,843 --> 01:10:32,843
[woman] You can just go there
and knock on the door.
1177
01:10:40,443 --> 01:10:42,303
- Hi.
- Hey. How you going?
1178
01:10:42,403 --> 01:10:43,783
[she laughs]
1179
01:10:43,883 --> 01:10:45,883
[man] Oh, wow.
1180
01:11:05,883 --> 01:11:07,883
[phone ringing]
1181
01:11:08,803 --> 01:11:11,763
[phone ringing]
1182
01:11:14,083 --> 01:11:16,563
Hello, Bin Jun Xie.
1183
01:11:18,523 --> 01:11:19,743
My name is Nick McKenzie.
1184
01:11:19,843 --> 01:11:21,423
I'm an Australian journalist,
1185
01:11:21,523 --> 01:11:24,803
and I'm calling you
about your business.
1186
01:11:27,123 --> 01:11:33,363
Your business running Asian
sex workers across Australia.
1187
01:11:37,163 --> 01:11:40,583
Your business running Asian
sex workers across Australia.
1188
01:11:40,683 --> 01:11:42,263
And I want to ask you...
1189
01:11:42,363 --> 01:11:45,303
You got into Australia,
even though you went to jail
1190
01:11:45,403 --> 01:11:49,703
in the United Kingdom
for running a big network
1191
01:11:49,803 --> 01:11:53,063
of underground sex
linked to human trafficking.
1192
01:11:53,163 --> 01:11:56,643
Did you tell the Australians
that you'd been to jail?
1193
01:12:04,243 --> 01:12:07,163
No, no, is this Bin Jun Xie?
1194
01:12:08,923 --> 01:12:10,923
What's your name?
1195
01:12:13,203 --> 01:12:14,703
What's your name?
1196
01:12:14,803 --> 01:12:16,423
[phone beeps]
1197
01:12:16,523 --> 01:12:17,983
That was Bin Jun Xie.
1198
01:12:18,083 --> 01:12:22,863
And he's probably absolutely
packing himself now
1199
01:12:22,963 --> 01:12:24,663
because he's thinking,
"What the F?
1200
01:12:24,763 --> 01:12:26,763
What's just happened?"
1201
01:12:28,363 --> 01:12:30,863
"Binjun Xie, I need to ask you
questions about your business.
1202
01:12:30,963 --> 01:12:33,023
My name is Nick McKenzie,
Australian journalist.
1203
01:12:33,123 --> 01:12:35,123
Will you speak with me?"
1204
01:12:41,243 --> 01:12:43,343
The Queensland Police told us
1205
01:12:43,443 --> 01:12:47,223
that there were women subjected
to potential trafficking,
1206
01:12:47,323 --> 01:12:49,463
certainly coercive
and imposing conditions,
1207
01:12:49,563 --> 01:12:52,383
being moved like cattle
around the country.
1208
01:12:52,483 --> 01:12:53,983
Does that accord
with your knowledge?
1209
01:12:54,083 --> 01:12:56,983
Yes, we are hearing
those sorts of claims,
1210
01:12:57,083 --> 01:12:59,463
and one of the challenges
1211
01:12:59,563 --> 01:13:01,983
that we have from a law
enforcement perspective
1212
01:13:02,083 --> 01:13:05,663
is that we actually need
those victims to come forward.
1213
01:13:05,763 --> 01:13:07,463
In the absence of
those victims themselves
1214
01:13:07,563 --> 01:13:10,103
coming forward, and there's
a whole range of reasons
1215
01:13:10,203 --> 01:13:13,423
why they might not,
then we are largely in the dark
1216
01:13:13,523 --> 01:13:14,943
when it comes to
this crime type.
1217
01:13:15,043 --> 01:13:17,943
What do the latest stats tell us
1218
01:13:18,043 --> 01:13:21,463
about the incidence of human
trafficking in Australia?
1219
01:13:21,563 --> 01:13:23,943
So, we are really upfront
about the fact
1220
01:13:24,043 --> 01:13:26,343
that it is a largely
hidden crime.
1221
01:13:26,443 --> 01:13:29,463
We believe that trafficking
will continue,
1222
01:13:29,563 --> 01:13:33,343
and it'll continue to rise, so
we are seeing, you know, that,
1223
01:13:33,443 --> 01:13:35,623
post February when
the borders did open,
1224
01:13:35,723 --> 01:13:37,543
we are definitely seeing
an uptick
1225
01:13:37,643 --> 01:13:39,423
in trafficking into Australia.
1226
01:13:39,523 --> 01:13:41,823
If the incidence of
trafficking's on the rise,
1227
01:13:41,923 --> 01:13:45,143
if it's happening, why is
the AFP's rate of prosecution
1228
01:13:45,243 --> 01:13:47,023
of human traffickers so miserly?
1229
01:13:47,123 --> 01:13:50,143
That's a complex question.
It's...
1230
01:13:50,243 --> 01:13:51,703
[sighs]
1231
01:13:51,803 --> 01:13:53,803
Let me just
gather my thoughts.
1232
01:13:54,603 --> 01:13:57,303
We have to meet
a fairly high threshold,
1233
01:13:57,403 --> 01:13:59,743
so that we have to ensure
that our briefs of evidence
1234
01:13:59,843 --> 01:14:03,983
contain enough evidence to
have a successful prosecution.
1235
01:14:04,083 --> 01:14:08,743
So, there are some challenges in
getting enough of that evidence.
1236
01:14:08,843 --> 01:14:11,303
Some of it might be that we
don't actually have a victim
1237
01:14:11,403 --> 01:14:14,303
that's on board,
so that's a genuine challenge.
1238
01:14:14,403 --> 01:14:17,143
Would it concern you
if there was a trafficking boss
1239
01:14:17,243 --> 01:14:19,983
known to various agencies
with criminal records,
1240
01:14:20,083 --> 01:14:22,483
up to his old tricks, sitting
here doing the same old thing?
1241
01:14:23,603 --> 01:14:26,023
Yeah, we'd probably
want to know about that
1242
01:14:26,123 --> 01:14:29,223
and see what action
we can take as a result.
1243
01:14:29,323 --> 01:14:31,303
What do you say
to those Australian men
1244
01:14:31,403 --> 01:14:33,823
who turn a blind eye,
use services
1245
01:14:33,923 --> 01:14:36,583
where there's lots of
indicators of trafficking,
1246
01:14:36,683 --> 01:14:38,183
of misery, of exploitation?
1247
01:14:38,283 --> 01:14:40,943
It certainly worries us
how much appetite there is
1248
01:14:41,043 --> 01:14:43,983
for using these sorts of
services of exploited women.
1249
01:14:44,083 --> 01:14:46,303
That's problematic
for all of Australia.
1250
01:14:46,403 --> 01:14:48,443
What does it say about us?
1251
01:14:49,763 --> 01:14:51,023
[exhales]
1252
01:14:51,123 --> 01:14:53,303
I don't want to say that, sorry.
1253
01:14:53,403 --> 01:14:55,403
Yeah.
1254
01:15:18,123 --> 01:15:20,123
Hey, guys.
How are you?
1255
01:15:20,883 --> 01:15:22,063
[man] I think we're good
to go now.
1256
01:15:22,163 --> 01:15:23,703
How're you feeling, Nick, ready?
1257
01:15:23,803 --> 01:15:26,403
Standby. In three...
1258
01:15:27,443 --> 01:15:30,983
When I received a tip-off
about this story last year,
1259
01:15:31,083 --> 01:15:32,943
I couldn't believe
what I was being told.
1260
01:15:33,043 --> 01:15:34,863
12 months of investigating, though,
1261
01:15:34,963 --> 01:15:36,703
has not only confirmed it
1262
01:15:36,803 --> 01:15:37,903
but also established
1263
01:15:38,003 --> 01:15:40,363
it's much worse
than first thought.
97469
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.