<p>Over six migration agents have worked with mostly Asian syndicates running prostitution rackets in Melbourne and Sydney, according to a report published in 'The Age' today.<br /><br />One of the agents allegedly involved in the sex industry in Melbourne was helping to find Asian women, including those on student visas, to work as prostitutes.<br /><br />The report said that one of the Melbourne resident who was aware of the rogue agents had complained to the local police in November last year.<br /><br />"The constable I complained seemed to be ignorant of the laws around prostitution and ultimately did nothing about it," the complainant said.<br /><br />The newspaper said through its own probe it found that under-age women were working in illegal brothels in Melbourne's inner east.<br /><br />Australian Federal Police is probing people linked to two state-licensed brothels as part of a human trafficking inquiry that has already led to the charging of a woman for allegedly forcing Chinese students to work as prostitutes.<br /><br />A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the force was "actively looking at illegal brothels, particularly in relation to links with organised crime and human trafficking".<br /><br />"We will always act on reports of under-age workers or other illegal activities [this has included targeting street prostitution in St Kilda recently]," she said adding, "We have had very preliminary discussions with the government to date and look forward to having further discussions".<br /><br />Migration agents are registered by the federal government and have powers to help people get visas and deal with the Immigration Department.<br /><br />The agents are meant to be governed by a strict code of conduct.<br /><br />Under the existing system, the regulation of the legal and illegal sex industry is handled by local councils, state police, Consumer Affairs and the Department of Justice.<br /><br />Federal agencies are responsible for investigating human trafficking, tax or immigration offences.</p>
<p>Over six migration agents have worked with mostly Asian syndicates running prostitution rackets in Melbourne and Sydney, according to a report published in 'The Age' today.<br /><br />One of the agents allegedly involved in the sex industry in Melbourne was helping to find Asian women, including those on student visas, to work as prostitutes.<br /><br />The report said that one of the Melbourne resident who was aware of the rogue agents had complained to the local police in November last year.<br /><br />"The constable I complained seemed to be ignorant of the laws around prostitution and ultimately did nothing about it," the complainant said.<br /><br />The newspaper said through its own probe it found that under-age women were working in illegal brothels in Melbourne's inner east.<br /><br />Australian Federal Police is probing people linked to two state-licensed brothels as part of a human trafficking inquiry that has already led to the charging of a woman for allegedly forcing Chinese students to work as prostitutes.<br /><br />A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the force was "actively looking at illegal brothels, particularly in relation to links with organised crime and human trafficking".<br /><br />"We will always act on reports of under-age workers or other illegal activities [this has included targeting street prostitution in St Kilda recently]," she said adding, "We have had very preliminary discussions with the government to date and look forward to having further discussions".<br /><br />Migration agents are registered by the federal government and have powers to help people get visas and deal with the Immigration Department.<br /><br />The agents are meant to be governed by a strict code of conduct.<br /><br />Under the existing system, the regulation of the legal and illegal sex industry is handled by local councils, state police, Consumer Affairs and the Department of Justice.<br /><br />Federal agencies are responsible for investigating human trafficking, tax or immigration offences.</p>