CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses suicide and online abuse.
Nearly two dozen criminals allegedly responsible for online sextortion targeting teenagers — including those in Australia — have been nabbed in an major international sting.
Among the 22 suspects arrested in the operation were two Nigerian-based offenders linked to the suicide of a 16-year-old in NSW in 2023.
According to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the sinister scheme saw perpetrators coerce young victims into sharing sexually explicit images before blackmailing them with threats of distributing the image if they didn’t make a payment.
The joint operation was a partnership with the AFP, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the US FBI, focused on dismantling the criminal network that targeted thousands of teenagers globally.
During the operation, two AFP investigators deployed in Nigeria were able to trace online activity, link digital evidence to suspects, and assist in the identification of both perpetrators and victims.
Investigators from the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) also provided expert analysis on data seized by foreign law enforcement and supported processes to avoid overlap with local investigations.
There have been more than 20 teenage suicides linked to sextortion-related cases since 2021 in the US alone, with the criminal network also targeting teenagers in Australia and other countries.
Revealing the growing sophistication and volume of online abuse attempts targeting Australian children, the ACCCE stated it received just over 58,500 reports of online child exploitation, including 1,554 sextortion-related reports, in the 2023-24 financial year.
AFP acting commander Ben Moses, who leads the ACCCE, said this global operation sends a “clear message” to those who exploit children online.
“Law enforcement is united and determined to find you — no matter where you hide,” Moses said in a statement.
“These crimes are calculated and devastating, often pushing vulnerable young people into extreme distress. Thanks to the coordinated action of our partners, we achieved meaningful results including an immediate and significant reduction in sextortion reports across Australia.”
However, while a decline in reports is encouraging, the AFP cautioned there are still risks to young people in Australia as it urged the community to be vigilant about online safety.
The AFP continues to work with state and territory police to support victims of sextortion and other malicious online activity, with victim support including referrals to specialist mental health services, and working with online platforms to have the harmful content taken down.
The ACCCE’s dedicated sextortion help page provides resources and information on how to report sextortion.
Anyone with information about people involved in online child sexual exploitation is urged to contact the ACCCE. Members of the public who are aware of any abuse happening now, or know of a child at risk, is urged to call police immediately on 000.
Help is available.
If you’re in distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or chat online. If it’s an emergency, please call 000.
Under 25? You can reach Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
Reach out to Headspace or Beyond Blue for support, or make an appointment with your GP.
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