http://www.thestar.com/news/world/a...st-online-pedophile-network-in-the-world?bn=1
230 kids rescued from largest online pedophile network in the world
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Mike Corder
Associated Press
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDSPolice said Wednesday they have smashed a huge international pedophile ring, rescuing 230 children from abuse and arresting 184 suspects including teachers and police officers.
The three-year investigation code-named Operation Rescue identified and safeguarded children in more than 30 countries by arresting people suspected of abusing them, said Rob Wainwright, director of the European Union police agency Europol.
The ring was centred on an Amsterdam-based online forum called boylover.net, which Wainwright described as probably the largest online pedophile network in the world.
The heavily encrypted forum, whose administrator appeared in a Dutch court on Tuesday charged with sex offences, had up to 70,000 members.
The investigation was led by Britains Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre but also involved law enforcement agencies as far afield as Australia, the United States and Thailand.
Peter Davies of the British child protection centre said there would be more arrests as the investigations continue.
Those who have been members of the site can expect a knock on the door in the very near future, he said. In Britain, police said, the children involved were aged between 7 and 14.
Wainwright said the website was intended as a discussion forum where pedophiles could share their sexual interest in young boys.
230 kids rescued from largest online pedophile network in the world
Published 13 minutes agoEmail Print Share Rss Article
Mike Corder
Associated Press
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDSPolice said Wednesday they have smashed a huge international pedophile ring, rescuing 230 children from abuse and arresting 184 suspects including teachers and police officers.
The three-year investigation code-named Operation Rescue identified and safeguarded children in more than 30 countries by arresting people suspected of abusing them, said Rob Wainwright, director of the European Union police agency Europol.
The ring was centred on an Amsterdam-based online forum called boylover.net, which Wainwright described as probably the largest online pedophile network in the world.
The heavily encrypted forum, whose administrator appeared in a Dutch court on Tuesday charged with sex offences, had up to 70,000 members.
The investigation was led by Britains Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre but also involved law enforcement agencies as far afield as Australia, the United States and Thailand.
Peter Davies of the British child protection centre said there would be more arrests as the investigations continue.
Those who have been members of the site can expect a knock on the door in the very near future, he said. In Britain, police said, the children involved were aged between 7 and 14.
Wainwright said the website was intended as a discussion forum where pedophiles could share their sexual interest in young boys.