Almost two dozen alleged online sextortion perpetrators have been arrested amid an international probe into the blackmail of teenagers in Australia, the United States and Canada.
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The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) partnered with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and other global agencies to arrest 22 sextortion suspects in Nigeria.
Two of the alleged offenders were linked to the suicide of a 16-year-old boy in NSW in 2023, police said.
Police believe the boy committed suicide after engaging with the scammers online, who threatened to share personal photos with his family and friends if he did not pay $500.
"The network's scheme, which coerced victims into sharing sexually explicit images before threatening to distribute those images unless payment was made, had devastating consequences," police said.
More than 20 teen suicides in the US have been linked to sextortion scams since 2021.
The joint operation, Operation Artemis, included two AFP investigators deployed in Nigeria to trace online activity, link digital evidence to suspects, and help in the identification of perpetrators and victims.
Investigators from the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) also offered expert analysis on data seized by foreign law enforcement, police said.
In Australia, the ACCCE received a total of 58,503 reports of online child exploitation, including 1554 sextortion-related reports in the 2023 to 2024 financial year.
AFP acting commander Ben Moses said the global operation sent a clear message to scammers targeting children online.
"Law enforcement is united and determined to find you - no matter where you hide," he said.
"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."
Help is available:
The AFP-led ThinkUKnow program has developed the online blackmail and sexual extortion response kit aimed at young people, aged 13 to 17, and is available from the ThinkUKnow and ACCCE websites.
The ACCCE has also created a dedicated sextortion help page with resources and information on how to report sextortion.
Members of the public who have information about people involved in online child sexual exploitation are urged to contact the ACCCE. If you know abuse is happening right now, or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
If you, or someone you know, is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available.
For more information on the role of the ACCCE, what online child sexual exploitation is and how to report it, visit the ACCCE website.
Anna Houlahan
Anna Houlahan is a journalist for the Courier, dedicated to uncovering the stories that shape the city. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
