This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police.
A Geelong man has been charged following an investigation by the Victorian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) into the creation of an online child exploitation game.
The 31-year-old man was arrested at his home address on Wednesday, 2 August.
He was subsequently charged by Victoria Police detectives with the Commonwealth offences of controlling, producing and possessing child abuse material, as well as deal with proceeds of crime.
The man faced Geelong Magistrates' Court and was bailed to appear again on 5 December.
A warrant was executed at his residence by members of JACET, comprising members from Victoria Police and the AFP, with assistance from the AFP's Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT).
Ahead of the warrants, the CACT successfully restrained all property of the suspect, including two vehicles, high-end televisions and audio-visual equipment, furniture and appliances which were seized at the warrants. It will be alleged that this property is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime, derived from the offending in this matter.
The investigation commenced in May this year after information about an online child exploitation game was uncovered by the ABF and provided to police.
The platform is entirely comprised of animated images, which is an offence in Australia.
The AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) Covert Online Engagement Unit also supported the operation.
It's believed a number of people across Australia and internationally had paid subscriptions to the game and enquiries remain ongoing in relation to those subscribers.
Police allege the 31-year-old man charged was the creator and operator of the game.
This is the first time in Victoria that an investigation has focused on a locally created platform of this nature.
Police will work with the eSafety Commissioner in relation to the removal of the game.
The investigation into this matter remains ongoing.
The CACT, which brings together the resources and expertise of the AFP, Australian Taxation Office, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, AUSTRAC and Australian Border Force, traces, restrains and confiscates benefits and property derived from crime.
Confiscated funds are deposited into the Confiscated Assets Account, which is managed by the Australian Financial Security Authority on behalf of the Commonwealth and can be invested in programs that benefit the community, such as crime prevention or diversion programs.
Anyone with information about people involved in child abuse is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppers.com.au
If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on triple zero (000).
If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available via the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation at www.accce.gov.au/support.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at www.thinkuknow.org.au
