Legislative changes introduced in 2019 made it a crime to possess a child-like sex doll, arming investigative agencies with the powers to charge and prosecute offenders. Child-like sex dolls are anatomically correct, life-size dolls made to look like pubescent and prepubescent children. Manufacturers offer the opportunity to tailor skin, hair and eye colour, as well as other characteristics.

In October 2019, AUSTRAC started a collaborative project with the NSW Police Force and PayPal Australia Pty Ltd through the Fintel Alliance to monitor financial flows associated with the importation of child-like sex dolls. The objective was to better understand, detect and refer potential cases to AUSTRAC’s law enforcement partners for investigation.

Based on information gathered from the collaboration, a matter was referred to South Australian Police for investigation. This followed suspected payments for the purchase of a child-like sex doll. As part of a joint South Australian Police, Australian Border Force and Australian Federal Police operation, in January 2020 the offender was arrested and charged with possession of a child-like sex doll, as well as accessing and possessing child pornography and child abuse material.

On 22 October 2021, the South Australian man became the first person in Australia to be charged and found guilty of possessing a child-like sex doll. He was sentenced to three years in prison.

How can I help combat crimes like this?

You have an important role to play in helping protect the vulnerable members of our community. If you identify any suspicious financial indicators, please submit a suspicious matter report to AUSTRAC.

To help you detect and report suspicious activity, please see our financial crime guides which cover a range of topics, including Combatting the sexual exploitation of children for financial gain. With your help, we can protect the Australian community.