500+ Victims of Child Exploitation Identified in Operation Renewed Hope IV

By Brett Fletcher 

When the global community unites behind a single, critical mission, the results can be life-changing. Recently, that unity was put on full display during Operation Renewed Hope IV—the largest global effort to date dedicated to identifying victims of child sexual exploitation.

​This historic operation brought together the world’s most elite specialists in victim identification. Experts from Interpol, Europol, and dozens of partnering countries across the globe pooled their resources, intelligence, and unwavering dedication to track down those who prey on the vulnerable and to bring exploited children into safety.

​The Impact: Lives Changed and Saved

​The sheer scale of this collaboration yielded incredible results. During the operation, investigators achieved a monumental breakthrough:

• ​502 children were successfully identified.
• ​75 children have already been physically safeguarded.

​While 75 rescues is a massive victory, the work doesn't stop here. Investigators are actively pursuing the leads generated by this operation, and we fully expect the number of safeguarded children to continue rising in the days and weeks to come.




​A Heartfelt Thank You

​Operations of this magnitude require immense resources, coordination, and backing. We are incredibly grateful for the support of our giving family; your generosity and commitment are exactly what makes operations like Renewed Hope IV possible.

​We also want to extend our deepest gratitude to all the partners and law enforcement professionals involved. Thank you for continually showing up, for doing the difficult work, and for fighting relentlessly to find these children.

​Together, we are making a difference. Together, we are bringing them home.



​About Homeland Security Investigations - Cyber Crimes Center (C3)

​The Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Cyber Crimes Center (C3) plays a vital role in combating cross-border criminal activity facilitated by the internet. C3 serves as a central coordination hub for highly technical assets dedicated to investigating cyber-related crimes and providing critical forensic, intelligence, and investigative support worldwide.

​Key components of C3 include:

• ​Child Exploitation Investigations Unit (CEIU): A powerful tool in the fight against the sexual exploitation of children and the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material. CEIU personnel use sophisticated investigative techniques to target and identify violators operating on the internet and the darknet.
• ​Computer Forensics Unit: Operates a state-of-the-art laboratory specializing in digital evidence recovery, essential for extracting crucial leads in complex global cases.
• ​Cyber Crimes Unit: Focuses on transnational criminal organizations, utilizing emerging technologies to detect, disrupt, and deanonymize cybercriminals.

​By keeping pace with rapidly evolving technology and partnering with domestic and international law enforcement agencies, C3 helps drive global investigations like Operation Renewed Hope IV to success.

​Report Suspected Child Exploitation

​If you suspect child exploitation or cybercrime, your report could save a life. You can contact the following organizations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

• ​Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tip Line: Call 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423) or submit a tip online at ice.gov/tips.
• ​National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline: Call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or submit a report online at cybertipline.com.   

EUROPOL - Protecting the Vulnerable

 

By ​Brett Fletcher - Founder of Trinity Mount Ministries

Europol and Partners Safeguard Children: Recent Operations Mark Significant Progress in Tracking and Identification

​In recent weeks, Europol, working alongside international partners, has executed two critical operations dedicated to protecting children from exploitation and forced transfer. These distinct efforts underscore the unwavering commitment of law enforcement agencies globally to safeguard the most vulnerable members of society.

​Both operations utilized sophisticated intelligence gathering, cross-border cooperation, and specialized task forces to achieve tangible results. Here is an overview of these recent successes.

​Operation 1: Tracking Forcibly Transferred Ukrainian Children

​The Hague, The Netherlands – A major breakthrough was achieved in the ongoing effort to locate Ukrainian children forcibly transferred during the conflict. Europol, coordinating with investigators from 18 countries and several key partners, successfully tracked down 45 children.

​This intensive operation was centered around a coordinated Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) effort. Over 40 investigators convened at Europol's headquarters in The Hague, pooling expertise and digital tools to analyze vast datasets and online footprints.

​The operation utilized OSINT techniques to cross-reference data, analyze digital imagery, and follow leads. The findings are crucial for establishing the location and circumstances of these children, supporting broader international efforts to ensure their safety and potential reunion with their families.

​This collaborative success demonstrates how specialized digital intelligence, when shared and analyzed across borders, can address some of the most complex challenges arising from geopolitical conflict.

​Operation 2: Dismantling Child Sexual Exploitation Networks

​In a separate, but parallel commitment, Europol’s Victim Identification Taskforce completed a highly successful action targeting online child sexual exploitation. This operation generated over 200 leads, which have been forwarded to national authorities for immediate investigation.

​The specialized task force focused on analyzing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to identify and locate victims. Leveraging advanced forensic technology and victim identification protocols, investigators successfully identified 12 children who were previously unknown to authorities.

​Identifying these victims is the essential first step toward rescuing them from abusive situations and providing them with the support and protection they desperately need. The volume of leads generated by this action will fuel numerous national investigations, dismantling exploitation networks and preventing further harm.

​This operation reinforces that victim identification is a paramount priority for Europol, moving beyond detection to actively rescue children trapped in exploitation.

Visualizing the Effort:

(The image below captures the collaborative energy within Europol's The Hague headquarters, showing investigators from 18 nations coordinating the massive OSINT effort to track the transferred children.)

(Following the coordination phase shown above, this second image takes a closer look at the specialized analysis cell within Europol, where forensic investigators work tirelessly on victim identification, resulting in 200 leads to save children.)

A Unified Stance: Protecting the Future

​These two operations represent complementary facets of Europol’s core mission: ensuring a safer Europe for all, especially its children. Whether addressing the immediate crisis of forced transfer or the insidious threat of sexual exploitation, the power of international collaboration is clear.

​By pooling resources, expertise, and intelligence, law enforcement agencies worldwide send a definitive message: crimes against children will be pursued with relentless coordination and the best available tools.

​Europol remains dedicated to supporting its partners, developing specialized capabilities, and leading the fight to protect the children who need it most.

​Contact Information and Related Links

​For further information regarding these operations or the work of Europol and its partners, please consult the following resources:

​Agencies Involved:

• ​Europol (European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation)
• ​National law enforcement authorities from 18 participating countries (specific agencies are generally not disclosed for operational security)

​Press/Contact Information:

• ​Europol Corporate Communications:
  • ​Email: press@europol.europa.eu
  • ​Phone: +31 70 302 50 00

​Related Links and Resources:

• ​Europol Website: https://www.europol.europa.eu
• ​Europol: Child Sexual Exploitation Topic Page: https://www.europol.europa.eu/crime-areas-and-statistics/crime-areas/child-sexual-exploitation
• ​Europol press release (Operation 1): LINK 1
• ​Europol press release (Operation 2): LINK 2

​For information regarding specific national investigations, please contact the relevant national law enforcement agency.

Guardians of Innocence: An Ode to Law Enforcement’s Fight for Our Children

 

By Brett Fletcher - Founder of Trinity Mount Ministries

​In a world that often seems chaotic and uncertain, there remains one fundamental truth: our children are our most precious resource, and their safety is paramount. While law enforcement professionals face intense scrutiny and myriad challenges in their daily work, there is one aspect of their mission that deserves universal recognition and unwavering support—their tireless dedication to the rescue and recovery of missing, exploited, and abused children.

​This blog entry serves as an ode to the guardians of innocence—the men and women across the globe who dedicate their careers to bringing endangered children home.

​The Borderless Fight

​Child exploitation and trafficking do not recognize geographic borders. The internet has unfortunately facilitated international networks that exploit the vulnerable. Recognizing this global threat, the fight back must be equally coordinated and international.

​We owe a debt of gratitude to organizations like INTERPOL and EUROPOL. These international police agencies serve as crucial hubs for intelligence sharing and cross-border collaboration. They facilitate the rapid dissemination of information through networks like INTERPOL's "Yellow Notices" for missing persons, and coordinate complex joint investigations targeting international exploitation rings.

​A recent success story highlighted this essential cooperation: A coordinated operation involving EUROPOL and several national European police agencies successfully dismantled a significant online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) network operating across multiple continents. This operation, driven by shared intelligence and synchronized action, led not only to arrests but, most importantly, to the identification and rescue of numerous child victims.

The National Commitment

​Domestically, the infrastructure supporting these investigations is immense and sophisticated. In the United States, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) play pivotal roles.

​The FBI’s Crimes Against Children (CAC) program is at the forefront of this battle, employing specialized agents, analysts, and technology to investigate kidnappings, child pornography, and online endangerment. The DOJ, through initiatives and partnerships with organizations like the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), provides the legal framework and resources necessary to prosecute offenders and support recovery efforts.

​These agencies often spearhead major operations that grab headlines. Just last year, an FBI-led, nationwide initiative focused on recovering endangered runaway and identified victims of child sex trafficking brought over a hundred children to safety across the U.S. These high-visibility operations require seamless coordination with state and local partners and demonstrate a resolute commitment to proactively seeking out those in danger.

​The Frontline Heroes

​While large federal and international agencies provide essential resources, the foundation of this work often rests with local police departments and their dedicated personnel.

​Police officers on patrol, detectives in specialized units, and civilian personnel are often the first responders to reports of a missing or abused child. They are the ones who canvas neighborhoods, interview witnesses, and meticulously follow up on leads. The emotional burden of these cases is heavy, yet they persevere, driven by the singular goal of a safe recovery.

​Recent successful investigations often underscore the critical importance of a quick and thorough initial response. Community safety apps and alert systems like the AMBER Alert, utilized effectively by local law enforcement, continue to prove invaluable. A recent case in California saw a missing teenager recovered safely within hours of an AMBER Alert, thanks to a vigilant citizen's tip that local officers quickly acted upon.

​A Debt of Gratitude

​The recovery of a child is a complex undertaking, involving sophisticated technology, international diplomacy, and tireless groundwork. It is a testament to what can be achieved when law enforcement—from the local detective to the international liaison—works together with dedication and a shared purpose.

​When we see news reports of children being reunited with their families, or when we read about a successful operation against those who exploit the innocent, let us remember the often-unseen professionals of the FBI, DOJ, EUROPOL, INTERPOL, and local police agencies who made it possible.

​Their work is difficult, demanding, and essential. They are the guardians of our children’s safety, and for that, they deserve our deepest respect and gratitude.

Resources and Reporting Channels

​If you have information regarding a missing, exploited, or abused child, or wish to learn more about the global fight against child victimization, please utilize these resources.

​Domestic (U.S.) Resources

• ​National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
  • ​Mission: As the nation’s clearinghouse and comprehensive reporting center on issues related to missing and sexually exploited children, NCMEC leads the fight to protect children, create vital resources, and provide invaluable assistance to parents, guardians, and law enforcement.
  • ​Website: missingkids.org
• ​CyberTipline (Managed by NCMEC)
  • ​Purpose: The centralized system for the public to report the online sexual exploitation of children, including the possession, distribution, and creation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
  • ​Website: report.cybertip.org
• ​Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
  • ​Role: The lead federal agency for investigating crimes against children, utilizing specialized units to combat kidnapping, child pornography, and online endangerment.
  • ​Website: fbi.gov
• ​United States Department of Justice (DOJ)
  • ​Role: Provides the legal framework, funding, and resources for federal prosecutions and coordinates nationwide initiatives to recover endangered and exploited children.
  • ​Website: justice.gov

​International and Global Resources

• ​International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC)
  • ​Mission: A global non-profit organization that advances a global network to prevent and combat child sexual exploitation and abduction, providing training and resources to law enforcement and frontline professionals worldwide.
  • ​Website: icmec.org
• ​Europol (European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation)
  • ​Role: Supports EU Member States by facilitating intelligence sharing and coordinating complex joint investigations into serious international crime, including specialized teams focused on cyber-enabled child abuse.
  • ​Website: europol.europa.eu
• ​INTERPOL (International Criminal Police Organization)
  • ​Role: Connects police globally to fight borderless crime, enabling secure communication and real-time data sharing on missing persons and international child exploitation networks through its specialist units.
  • ​Website: interpol.int

Global cybercrime crackdown: over 373 000 dark web sites shut down

Authorities from 23 countries participate in the operation

On 9 March 2026, a global operation led by German authorities and supported by Europol was launched against one of the largest networks of fraudulent platforms in the dark web. The investigation began in mid-2021 against the dark web platform “Alice with Violence CP”. During the investigation, authorities discovered that the platform’s operator was running more than 373 000 fraudulent websites advertising child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and cybercrime-as-a-service (CaaS) offerings.

From 9 to 19 March 2026, 23 countries joined forces in 'Operation Alice,' which initially only targeted the platform operator. However, through international cooperation, the investigation uncovered the identities of 440 customers who had used the operator's services. Due to the nature of the purchases, additional investigations were launched against them. The operation is still ongoing against more than a hundred of those individuals.

Results of Operation Alice

So far, Operation Alice has led to the following results:

• 1 perpetrator operating the dark web platform identified;
• 440 customers worldwide identified;
• Over 373 000 dark web websites shut down;
• 105 servers seized;
• Electronic devices seized, including computers, mobile phones and electronic data carriers.

Catherine De Bolle

Europol’s Executive Director

Operation Alice sends a clear message: there is nowhere to hide for criminals when the international law enforcement community works hand in glove. We will find them and hold them accountable. Europol will continue to protect children, support victims, and track down the perpetrators.

An intricate network of fraudulent websites

Over the course of nearly five years of investigation, German authorities discovered that a single individual operated more than 373 000 onion domains (websites) on the dark web. An onion domain is a special type of website address that is designed to hide the identity and location of the website and the people visiting it. From February 2020 to July 2025, the suspect advertised CSAM on different platforms, which were accessible through more than 90 000 of those onion domains. On these platforms, the perpetrator offered CSAM that could allegedly be purchased as “packages” after providing an email address and making a payment in Bitcoin.

Each package had an estimated cost of between EUR 17 and EUR 215, and promised data volumes ranging from a few gigabytes to several terabytes of CSAM. However, these were purely fraudulent sites where CSAM was advertised and previewed but never delivered.

In addition to CSAM, several cybercrime-as-a-service (CaaS) offerings were promoted, including credit card data and access to foreign systems. The goal was always to persuade customers to make payments without receiving any service in return.

Targeting the operator…

Investigations were also conducted against the platform’s operator, a 35-year-old man based in the People's Republic of China. Authorities estimate that the individual made over EUR 345 000 in profit from approximately 10 000 customers worldwide who, according to authorities, attempted to purchase the material he was advertising.

From November 2019 until recently, he operated a network of up to 287 servers at its peak, 105 of which were located in Germany. German authorities have issued an international arrest warrant.

…the criminals purchasing CSAM…

By paying for CSAM, the customers themselves became suspects, even though they never received the material. Investigators assessed that individuals seeking access to exclusive –and, therefore, severe– child sexual abuse material could represent high-value targets and provide important intelligence for law enforcement worldwide.

…and protecting the victims

Throughout the years of investigation, authorities acted immediately whenever they identified children to be in danger, taking appropriate measures to protect their well-being.

For example, in August 2023, investigators from the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office searched the home of a 31-year-old father who had transferred EUR 20 to purchase a package containing 70 GB of CSAM. The man was later convicted.

Europol’s role

During the investigation, Europol specialists facilitated the exchange of information between national authorities, provided analytical support and coordinated the international response. Additionally, they played a key role in tracing cryptocurrency payments and delivering intelligence to the countries involved in the operation.

Most importantly, the close cooperation between German authorities and Europol enabled the identification of the perpetrator.

Stopping child abuse and supporting victims

The fight against child sexual exploitation is a priority for Europol. Alongside the support provided by the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) to Member States in preventing and detecting crimes linked to the sexual exploitation of children, Europol is currently running two major projects in this area.

This week, Europol released new photos to the platform 'Stop Child Abuse – Trace an Object', which calls on all citizens to examine objects from child sexual abuse cold cases and see if they recognise any of them. No clue is too small: even the smallest detail could help identify and safeguard a sexually abused child.

Additionally, a new digital platform, Help4U, was launched in November 2025 to support children and teenagers facing sexual abuse or online harm. Designed to be simple, private and accessible, Help4U helps young people find trusted advice, understand their rights and connect with people who can help them.

Participating countries in Operation Alice:

1. Australia: Australian Federal Police (AFP)
2. Austria: Criminal Intelligence Service (Bundeskriminalamt)
3. Belgium: Federal Judicial Police – Federale Gerechtelijke Politie
4. Canada: Royal Canadian Mounted police (RCMP) - National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC)
5. Croatia: National Cybercrime Department (Služba kibernetičke sigurnosti)
6. Czech Republic: Czech national police (USKPV), Bureau of Criminal Police and Investigation Service
7. Denmark: National Cyber Crime Centre (NC3) at Special Crime Unit (SCU/NSK) and Danish National Police (Dansk Politi)
8. France: Police department for the protection of children (OFMIN) of the national directorate of judicial police (DNPJ)
9. Germany: Bavarian State Criminal Police (BLKA), Bavarian Central Office for the Prosecution of Cybercrime (ZKI), Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA)
10. Hungary: National Bureau of Investigation Cybercrime Department Investigative Division (Nemzeti Nyomozó Iroda Kiberbűnözés Elleni Főosztály Nyomozó Osztály)
11. Italy: National Police – Postal and Cyber Security Police Service (Polizia di Stato - Servizio Polizia Postale e per la Sicurezza Cibernetica)
12. Lithuania: Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau (Lietuvos kriminalines policijos biuras)
13. Netherlands: National Police (Politie)
14. Poland: Central Cybercrime Bureau (CBZC)
15. Portugal: Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária)
16. Romania: Romanian Police (Poliția Română)
17. Slovenia: Slovenian Criminal Police (Slovenska kriminalistična policija)
18. Spain: Guardia Civil - Criminal Intelligence Unit (UTPJ) and Central Investigations Unit (UCO)
19. Sweden: National Cybercrime Centre (SC3), Region South (Syd), Region West (Väst) and Region Bergslagen
20. Switzerland: Federal Office of Police fedpol (Bundesamt für Polizei fedpol), Lucerne Police (Luzerner Polizei), Cantonal Police of St. Gallen (Kantonspolizei St. Gallen), Cantonal Police of Thurgau (Kantonspolizei Thurgau), Cantonal Police of Zurich (Kantonspolizei Zürich)
21. Ukraine: National Police of Ukraine
22. United Kingdom: National Crime Agency (NCA)
23. US: Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)

Note to media

Europol encourages you to use the term ‘child (sexual) abuse material’ and not ‘child pornography’ in your reporting.

The use of the term ‘child pornography’ helps child sex abusers as it indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim, and therefore legality on the part of the sex abuser. By using the phrase ‘child pornography’, it conjures up images of children posing in ‘provocative’ positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse. Every photograph or video captures an actual situation where a child has been abused. This is not pornography.

Three children safeguarded following VIDTF 16*

Countries of child abuse cases identified across 190 datasets during latest Europol Victim Identification Task Force.

Between 12 and 23 May 2025, victim identification experts from over 30 countries and Europol analysed hundreds of images and videos depicting unidentified victims of child sexual abuse during the 16th edition of the Victim Identification Task Force (VIDTF). This two-week operation at Europol’s headquarters is dedicated to tracking down perpetrators and identifying victims across 100 million images and videos of child sexual abuse material, seized by law enforcement agencies worldwide and contributed to Europol’s databases.

The collaborative nature of the task force is one of its greatest strengths. Investigators brought with them specific professional expertise as well as a rich variety of cultural perspectives and language skills, which are crucial in navigating the global scope of these crimes. The diverse backgrounds often prove crucial in interpreting subtle clues perceived on the imagery that can lead to identifying a location or a victim.

More than 50 cases referred to national authorities for further investigation

During the two-week operation, participants examined about 250 datasets, each depicting an unidentified child victim. Thanks to their meticulous analysis and shared knowledge, the likely country of offence was determined in about 190 datasets. Europol has already shared more than 50 of these cases with national authorities, with further dissemination ongoing. So far, three of the victims have been identified and safeguarded by the relevant national authorities.

The analysed datasets varied from recordings of direct sexual exploitation committed by unknown offenders against child victims, to recordings of livestreamed sexual exposure committed by minors due to enticement and coercion by various offenders. The victims shown span all ages and come from various regions around the world, from toddlers to adolescents, highlighting the horrific reach and indiscriminate nature of these crimes.

Identifying victims in such a large volume of materials is made even more complex by the ever-growing digital landscape. Since 2014, VIDTF operations have helped safeguard over 940 children and contributed to the arrest of more than 283 offenders. These figures reflect the real-world impact of coordinated, cross-border efforts in the fight to protect the most vulnerable.

Check the new uploads – no clue is too small!

Help us identify the origin of certain objects visible in child abuse material. Just one lead can save a child. Read about Europol’s Trace an Object initiative and see if you recognise any of the objects in the images. Europol has just released a new series of pictures containing non-confrontational details of images extracted from child sexual abuse cold cases. Just as investigators from across the globe contribute through their diverse cultural insights, language skills, and local knowledge, members of the public are encouraged to bring their own unique perspectives to this collective effort. Whether it's recognising a regional brand, a household item common in a specific country, or a language cue, your input could be pivotal. No detail is too small—and your engagement could help safeguard a child or assist in bringing an abuser to justice.

Note to media:

Europol encourages you to use the term ‘child (sexual) abuse material’ and not ‘child pornography’ in your reporting.

The use of the term ‘child pornography’ helps child sex abusers as it indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim, and therefore legality on the part of the sex abuser. By using the phrase ‘child pornography’, it conjures up images of children posing in ‘provocative’ positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse. Every photograph or video captures an actual situation where a child has been abused. This is not pornography.

The following countries took part of the VIDTF 16:

EU Member States: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden

Non-EU Member States: Albania, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Georgia, Moldova, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States

EU agencies and international organisations: Europol, INTERPOL, The Council of Europe, through its CyberSEE project, and the project “Fighting against Organised Crime in the Eastern Partnership region” also supported the VIDTF 16.

* VIDTF (Victim Identification Task Force) 16 is a 2-week Europol operation held annually, focusing on identifying victims of child sexual abuse. During VIDTF 16, held in May 2025, experts from over 30 countries and Europol analyzed hundreds of images and videos to locate perpetrators and identify victims within Europol's databases. The task force utilizes the collaborative expertise and diverse perspectives of international law enforcement professionals to identify potential leads. 

Child Sexual Exploitation

Child sexual exploitation refers to the sexual abuse of a person below the age of 18, as well as to the production of images of such abuse and the sharing of those images online.

Online child sexual exploitation is a constantly evolving phenomenon and is shaped by developments in technology. Mobile connectivity, growing internet coverage in developing countries and the development of pay-as-you-go streaming solutions, which provide a high degree of anonymity to the viewer, are furthering the trend in the commercial live-streaming of child sexual abuse.

As a form of cybercrime, child sexual exploitation is one of the EU’s priorities in the fight against serious and organised crime as part of EMPACT 2022 - 2025.

Europol has identified key threats in the area of child sexual exploitation:

Peer-to-peer (P2P) networks and anonymised access like Darknet networks (e.g. Tor). These computer environments remain the main platform to access child abuse material and the principal means for non-commercial distribution. These are invariably attractive for offenders and easy to use. The greater level of anonymity and the strong networking possibilities offered by hidden internet that exists beneath the “surface web” appear to make criminals more comfortable in offending and discussing their sexual interests.

Live-streaming of child sexual abuse. Facilitated by new technology, one trend concerns the profit-driven abuse of children overseas, live in front of a camera at the request of westerners.

To a lesser degree, there is also some evidence that forms of commercial child sexual exploitation such as on-demand live streaming of abuse is also contributing to the rise of the amount of CSEM online.

Live distant child abuse has the most obvious links with commercial distribution of CSEM. As new and/or unseen CSEM is valuable currency within the offending community, live distant abuse is therefore a way to not only acquire more CSEM, but to simultaneously generate material with a high ‘value’.

Online solicitation and sexual extortion. The growing number of children and teenagers who own smartphones has been accompanied by the production of self-generated indecent material. Such material, initially shared with innocent intent, often finds its way to “collectors”, who often proceed to exploit the victim, in particular by means of extortion.

Networking and forensic awareness of offenders. Offenders learn from the mistakes of those that have been apprehended by law enforcement.

Law Enforcement Targets Online Cult Communities Dedicated To Extremely Violent Child Abuse

US Homeland Security Investigations, supported by Europol and the French Police, arrested members of an online community dedicated to grooming, sexual abuse, acts of cruelty, torture and murders

Law enforcement authorities target members of prolific online communities dedicated to the sexual abuse of children and manipulation of vulnerable minors into committing violent crimes. This coercion into committing violent crime spans multiple areas, including acts of cruelty against people and animals, murder and self-harm. These extremist communities are part of a larger online network, so called “The Com”. Through this network, extremists around the world collude to groom and abuse children. These groups operate virtually in easily accessible online spaces such as social media platforms, mobile applications and online gaming platforms. International cooperation via Europol has intensified in the past year, leading to the identification of dangerous individuals and the safeguarding of victims, mostly vulnerable minors.

Two suspected leaders of online group “CVLT” arrested in the US

On 30 January, the United States Homeland Security Investigations arrested two individuals for participating in a neo-Nazi child exploitation ring that groomed and then coerced minors into produce child sexual abuse material and images of self-harm. The group allegedly abused at least 16 minors around the world. According to the investigation, the two men were members of “CVLT” (pronounced “cult”), an online group that promoted neo-Nazism, nihilism, and paedophilia as its core principles.

The investigations into these individuals (a 23- and 41-year-old males from the US), were supported by Europol, and involved the French National Police (Police Nationale), the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency and the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs. These arrests follow previous arrests of two other prolific members of this community, both males in their twenties. One of the previously arrested suspects has been in French custody since 2022 for several child exploitation and related offenses. The second is currently in the US, serving a 50-year sentence for child sex abuse crimes committed in 2020 and 2021.

Three of these four arrested offenders are considered to have acted as leaders and administrator of the violent online abuse community, hosting and running CVLT online servers and controlling membership for the group.

Victims trapped in an abuse cycle

Members of this violent CVLT community groomed children into producing child sexual abuse material through various means of degradation, including exposing the victims to extremist and violent content. CVLT specifically targeted vulnerable victims, including minors suffering from mental health issues or a history of sexual abuse. Victims were encouraged to engage in increasingly dehumanising acts, including cutting and eating their own hair, drinking their urine, punching themselves, calling themselves racial insults, and using razor blades to carve CVLT members’ names into their skin.

CVLT members’ coercion escalated to pressuring victims to kill themselves via video livestream. They blackmailed the victims to submit and remain silent, threatening to distribute already-obtained compromising photos and videos to their family and friends. CVLT would sometimes go through with their threats against victims who tried to escape their grip. CVLT is part of a larger network of extremist and child abusers active within similar online communities, referred to as “The Com”.

Extremely violent online communities manipulate children and young people

Violent online groups are targeting and manipulating vulnerable children and young people across widely accessible online platforms. There are multiple groups, associations and evolving subgroups that make up the online network known as The Com – short for community. The Com is a virtual community of groups and individuals who conduct illicit activities that glorify serious violence, cruelty, and gore.

Elements of The Com network are known to have extreme ideological views and victimise children, coercing them to commit violent acts. Predators groom their victims through different methods – one approach is establishing friendships based on trust or romantic relationships. Another technique involves the use of power or coercive tactics with one goal – taking control over the victims, while getting them to engage in serious violence, self-harm, or other gruesome. It’s a vicious cycle - the predators in this network influence children or young people into conducting acts that increasingly shame, incriminate, or isolate them, this in turn makes them more vulnerable to further exploitation.

Europol’s role in bringing investigations around the world closer together

Europol facilitates the exchange of information and provides analytical support to investigations into members of online communities targeted at child abuse and serious harm to vulnerable youth. At the end of January 2025, Europol hosted a three-day-long operational meeting related to The Com network of online child abusers. On the first day of the meeting, Europol connected 100 intelligence and police officers around the globe to exchange knowledge on the topic. During the meeting, 50 participants discussed cases to identify members active in these communities, and identify and safeguard their victims. 
 

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