International operation: 28 men arrested for child sexual abuse material
28 people were arrested in a coordinated European police operation targeting child sexual abuse material.
International operation: 28 men arrested for child sexual abuse material
28 people were arrested in early June in a sweeping police operation targeting individuals who purchased and shared child sexual abuse material. The operation was conducted across seven European nations, according to 24ur.com.
The suspects were exposed after they paid with digital currencies to gain access to hidden online forums. Norway's national investigation unit for serious crime (Kripos) developed a method to trace the money trail when the suspects used the virtual currency Monero. This technology was developed last year and made it possible to trace the identity of the users.
The operation was coordinated with the assistance of Europol and police authorities in six countries. The men taken in for questioning were between 22 and 54 years old and were arrested in Norway, Sweden, Poland, Czechia, Switzerland and Germany.
Investigators at Kripos suggest that further arrests may follow, also outside the countries already affected. They believe the number of people under suspicion is considerable.
Europol stated in a separate statement that one of the detained individuals had made extensive use of artificial intelligence technology to produce illegal material. In addition, some of the victims are said to have been close family members of the perpetrators.
Police seized over 460 items during the raids. Among the items were computers and other electronic equipment, digital wallets, illegal drugs and large quantities of performance-enhancing substances. Delo also reported on this matter.
Source: 24ur