Two men from the Bundaberg area in regional Queensland have been charged with child exploitation offences after a tip-off from the public.
The information to police from a member of the public in February led to police identifying a man who was allegedly using an online platform to find children for sex.
Task Force Argos, a branch of the Queensland Police Service (QPS) that investigates online child exploitation and abuse, used online operatives to engage with the offender.
The two men were identified after they interacted with the Argos detectives online, arranging to meet and access a child for sex.
A 36-year-old man has been charged with grooming a parent or carer of a child under 16 years with intent to facilitate the procurement of the child to engage in a sexual act, and possession of child exploitation material.
A 29-year-old man was charged with grooming a parent or carer of a child under 16 years with intent to facilitate the procurement of a child to engage in a sexual act.
They are due to appear in court at later dates.
Child Abuse and Sexual Crime Group Detective Inspector Glen Donaldson said police were committed to targeting people using the perceived anonymity of the internet to target children.
"Everything you do online leaves a trace," he said.
"QPS will leave no stone unturned to target those who seek to sexually exploit children online."
Detective Acting Inspector Cameron Schneider, from Bundaberg's Child Protection and Investigation Unit, said police in the Wide Bay Burnett District will continue to investigate and prosecute offenders.
