Safer Internet Day - Argos arrests

This Safer Internet Day, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) is proud to support the eSafety Commissioner's campaign encouraging parents and carers to start the chat with their children about online safety.

The QPS is reminding Queenslanders to "Connect. Reflect. Protect".

Connect safely and with purpose - by keeping apps and devices secure and using social media in positive ways.

Reflect before we act - by taking a moment to consider how what we do and say online may affect others.

Protect ourselves and others by taking action - by telling family, friends or colleagues about eSafety and how we can help.

Detective Inspector Glen Donaldson from Argos, a specialist unit within the QPS that investigates online child exploitation, urged parents and caregivers to take active and ongoing measures around online safety.

"Every day, investigators from Argos see the prevalence of this global crime, including cases where children have been tricked or blackmailed into taking and sending sexual images of themselves, even when their parents are at home," Detective Inspector Donaldson said.

"We have seen research from eSafety which shows that children are still willing to accept friend requests from strangers they meet online.

"These offenders are very skilled at manipulating children into sending intimate images, which are then used to blackmail a child. The trauma that this causes a child is significant and we urge parents to speak with their children about online safety".

Over the last four weeks Argos detectives have arrested multiple Queensland offenders engaged in the online exploitation of children. Below are a description of just a few of the arrests led by Argos:

• On Monday February 6, detectives from Argos arrested a 71-year-old Townsville man who police will allege was an administrator of a number of child exploitation networks using encrypted messaging platforms and websites. The man was identified after an undercover operative infiltrated the online network and an investigation commenced to take down the platforms. As an administrator of these platforms, police will allege the man controlled and maintained the libraries of child exploitation material within the encrypted networks and was involved in further child abuse networks of up to 500 co-offenders discussing their hands-on sexual abuse of children. A search warrant was executed at the man's dwelling where detectives located a large volume of digital and printed child exploitation material, and evidence of his various roles within the encrypted platforms. The man was charged with 59 offences, including possessing child exploitation material, distributing child exploitation material, administering a child exploitation material website and encouraging use of child exploitation material website. The man was remanded in custody and is expected to appear at the Townsville Magistrates Court today, February 7.

• On January 24, three children were removed from harm after detectives from Argos arrested a 49-year-old Ipswich man who had been attempting to procure a teenage child online for sex. The 'child' was in fact an undercover officer from Argos posing as a child. The man was arrested on one charge of using the internet to procure a child under 16 and one charge of grooming a child under 16 years by exposing them to indecent material. The man is scheduled to next appear at the Ipswich Magistrates Court on February 20.

• On January 22, detectives from Argos arrested a 32-year-old Oxley woman who had been attempting to procure a teenage child online for sex. The 'child' was in fact an undercover officer from Argos posing as a child. The woman was arrested on one charge of using the internet to procure a child under 16 and intentionally attending an address to meet the child. The woman is scheduled to next appear at the Brisbane Magistrates Court on February 27.

• On January 18, detectives from Argos arrested a 33-year-old Griffin man who had been identified using an online messaging application to distribute child exploitation material. A search warrant was executed on the man's dwelling where detectives located a large amount of child exploitation material. The man was charged with two counts of possessing child exploitation material and two counts of using a carriage service to access child exploitation material. The man is scheduled to next appear at the Brisbane Magistrates Court on February 20.

Safer Internet Day is about raising awareness amongst parents, caregivers, educators and anyone in the community who has the important job of caring for, raising or educating a child.

These arrests highlight the dangers our children face online and the dedication of the QPS to target those who seek to harm children in our community.

Resources and advice

• eSafety Commissioner a key partner of the QPS in enhancing online safety, with a comprehensive suite of information, resources and reporting tools to ensure children have a safe experience online.
• Who's chatting to your kids? Further QPS advice and information about reducing online risks for children.
• Out of the dark #doiknowu a campaign by the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) supported by the QPS and Department of Education, providing resources to help young people stay safe online.
• Think U Know is a partnership between Australian Federal Police, Commonwealth Bank, Datacom, Microsoft, State and Territory Police and Neighbourhood Watch. It provides information on topics including sexting, cyber bullying, online child exploitation, online privacy, and what to do when something goes wrong.