Detectives from Argos have charged a 35-year-old Mango Hill man and a 29-year-old Mackay man after an investigation targeting offenders on the dark web using cryptocurrency to purchase child abuse material.
The Mackay man was arrested following the execution of a search warrant on Friday and charged with 21 counts of soliciting child abuse material by using a carriage service, 19 counts of transmitting to himself child abuse material by using a carriage service, one count of possessing child abuse material obtained by using a carriage service and one count of using a carriage service to transmit or distribute child abuse material. He has been released on strict bail conditions to next appear in the Mackay Magistrates Court on August 5.
The Mango Hill man was arrested following the execution of a search warrant on July 2 and charged with one count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material. He has been released on strict bail conditions to next appear in the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on July 30.
It will be alleged both men were found to be in possession of child exploitation material which has been sourced on the dark web and encrypted networks using cryptocurrency and other secure online methods for payment.
The investigation stemmed from a joint investigation between Queensland Police Service (QPS), the Australian Federal Police led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
A priority of QPS is the prevention and proactive detection of the online exploitation of children. To help achieve this goal, QPS works in partnership with the community, child protection services and national and international law enforcement agencies.
Detective Inspector Glen Donaldson of Argos said that everyday Argos and the AFP work collaboratively together at the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation to target high harm offenders operating on a range of online platforms.
“Our covert online operatives operate across a vast array of platforms every day to identify and target child sex offenders who seek to distribute child abuse material,” Detective Inspector Donaldson said.
“This is not a victimless crime as behind every image is a child who has been the subject of abuse.
“Law enforcement continue to share intelligence on a daily basis, working together to identify those who seek to hide on platforms they believe make them anonymous.
Everything you do online leaves a trace, and our Detectives will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to identify and prosecute offenders”.
AFP Detective Superintendent Frank Rayner said the AFP and its partners worked tirelessly to protect children, wherever they lived, and identify anyone involved in harming or exploiting them.
“At the AFP-led ACCCE, we focus on collaboration through provision of specialist capabilities such as our cryptocurrency analysis experts, who played a key role supporting this Argos investigation,” AFP Det-Supt Rayner said.
“This excellent operational outcome is a prime example of how effectively the AFP works with our law enforcement partners across all states and territories, and internationally, to combat child exploitation and abuse.”
Resources and advice
- Further QPS advice and information about reducing online risks for children.
- The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
- a key partner of the QPS in enhancing online safety, with a comprehensive suite of information, resources and reporting tools to ensure children have a safe experience online.
- a campaign by the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) supported by the QPS and Department of Education, providing resources to help young people stay safe online.
- is a partnership between Australian Federal Police, Commonwealth Bank, Datacom, Microsoft, State and Territory Police and Neighbourhood Watch. It provides information on topics including sexting, cyber bullying, online child exploitation, online privacy, and what to do when something goes wrong.
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