http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704396504576204792312272986
Updated March 17, 2011 12:01 a.m. ET
THE HAGUE—Europol said Wednesday it broke up the largest international ring of pedophiles ever uncovered, a network that was allegedly centered on an Internet child *advertiser censored* forum with 70,000 members across the globe,
including in the U.S., the U.K. and Australia.
At the center was a website set up in the early 2000s and run out of the Netherlands, authorities said. The site allegedly exploited legal loopholes to protect its owners and members from prosecution.
Police have arrested 184, mostly for cases of serious sexual molestation.
The investigation has proceeded fastest in the U.K., where 121 people have been arrested.
Some are teachers and bus drivers, others are students and lawyers. One is 84. Another is a woman.
"There is no typical profile," said Cesar Lorenzana, an investigator with the Guardia Civil in Spain, where 17 people have been arrested.
Some were already known to the public, including John McMurdo, an English scoutmaster found guilty of possessing child *advertiser censored*, and Lee Palmer, who abused two young boys. Both have been sentenced to jail terms. Police said 230 child victims had been identified during the investigation, and parents and authorities had been alerted.