Canadian Detained in Norway-Led Operation Targeting Dark Web Child Abuse Buyers

A multi-national law enforcement effort led by Norwegian authorities resulted in 28 arrests across seven countries, including Canada, of men who allegedly purchased child sexual abuse material using cryptocurrency.

Canadian Detained in Norway-Led Operation Targeting Dark Web Child Abuse Buyers

A coordinated enforcement effort spearheaded by Norwegian police in early June led to the apprehension of 28 men in seven different nations, including one individual in Canada.

The National Criminal Investigation Service of Norway, referred to as Kripos, stated that the suspects allegedly employed Monero — a privacy-focused digital currency — to gain access to concealed online forums distributing material showing sexual abuse of minors. Investigators indicated they had developed a method during 2025 to trace transactions made with this specific cryptocurrency.

Those taken into custody ranged between 22 and 54 years old. Arrests occurred in Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, and Canada. Officials from Kripos suggested more apprehensions could follow, possibly involving other jurisdictions, since a considerable number of suspects are still being investigated.

Europol, which supported the operation, disclosed that one arrested individual had been making extensive use of artificial intelligence tools to generate prohibited content. The European agency also mentioned that some of the victims were directly related to one of the suspects.

As a direct outcome of the enforcement action, three children were moved to safety. Police also seized in excess of 460 pieces of evidence, comprising computers and other electronics, virtual currency wallets, illegal drugs, and sizable quantities of doping agents.

Source: CP24

Source: Google News CA — Crime (EN)