Can you do a runner if you’re up to your neck in debt?

Imagine you’ve maxed out your credit cards, depleted your savings, sold everything you own … and you still have a lot of angry creditors on your tail. 

Perhaps the thought of escape by catching the next international flight to anywhere is appealing. Then, instead of worrying about the future, you can spend your days at the beach, idly sipping on a pina colada, safe from the debtors who drove you to distraction.  

After all, those creditors can’t and won’t follow you if you’ve decamped to an exotic tropical island.  

Or will they?

First up, being in debt is not in itself a criminal offence, so Interpol probably won’t be after you for that if you decide to flee. But, depending on why you’re in debt, where you are and how much you owe, police and creditors may still come after you. 

Australia is party to several international agreements that allow for the arrest and repatriation of criminals, and the recovery of certain commercial debts.   

As a result, if you’re skint as a result of criminal activity, you can expect both Australian and overseas authorities will be keen to talk to you. Your creditors also have the right to pursue you across certain borders for what they are owed. 

The federal Attorney-General's office notes that extradition is possible under a range of bilateral and multilateral agreements. This happens through the Australian International Crime Cooperation Central Authority, which also works with International Criminal Court and international war crimes tribunals. 

All that is well worth considering before you purchase that one-way ticket to your dream destination.  

Oh, and at this point you’ll discover many destinations require you to have a return or onwards ticket, because as much as they want you as a tourist, they don’t want you to stay forever. 

If you’re still determined to go, bear in mind it’s not just airfares you’ll need. You’ll need cash (we’re assuming that your cards have all been cancelled) for accommodation and food once you find a place to live. You’ll also need an ongoing means of eking out a living in a foreign country without drawing attention to yourself. 

Wherever in the world you end up, you’ll be subject to some sort of legal restrictions – even if you have citizenship or permanent residency. 

It’s likely that you’ll always be on the move and could well run out of places to go. Without proper documentation, you’ll find it almost impossible to find legitimate work to support yourself. 

Turning to crime to make ends meet is not a good idea anywhere – and it’s particularly ill-advised if you are living in a foreign country. When you’re caught, you’ll be dragged through a system you don’t understand and could face punishments that are extremely harsh by Australian standards.  

Even if you keep your nose clean, once your visa and/or your passport expires, you’ll find yourself stuck and living in the shadows trying to avoid Immigration authorities. 

If you’re already pension age, good luck trying to convince the Australian government to send you your benefit when you’re essentially on the run. (In fact, getting an Australian pension while living overseas is difficult at the best of times.)  

This is the point where you may be wondering whether it was all worthwhile, and you’d have been better off staying in Australia, seeking a lasting legal remedy to your debts. 

For further reading: International crime cooperation arrangements