Australian authorities have reported that as many as 12 Australian women have attempted to leave Melbourne to join the Islamic State (IS) militant group.
Local police have reported that these women, believed to be aged 18 to 29, were recruited to join the extremist group by way of social media, according to BBC News.
A special investigation conducted by the police in the state of Victoria has also found that five of these women are now living with IS militants in areas where conflicts have been taking place.
Tracy Linford, the assistance commissioner for Victoria Police, added that it is still too early to determine exactly how many women have been recruited by the terrorist group, according to a report from India Times.
Concerns about Australians possibly fleeing the country to join the IS group have existed as early as 2014.