The AFP has today (29 October, 2025) announced a specialist taskforce to combat an online criminal network responsible for a range of crimes, including the sadistic exploitation of Australia's youth.
The decentralised online crime network, made up of loosely affiliated sub-groups, has been responsible for cyber attacks on major communication companies, the production of violent extremist material and the violent exploitation of youth, predominantly young girls.
Members of the network are typically young males from English-speaking countries with common beliefs on violent extremism, nihilism, Nazism, satanism and sadism.
In Australia, members of the network are using their perceived anonymity and online sophistication to target, groom and exploit vulnerable youth, especially young girls, for their sadistic pleasure, as well as building notoriety and status in their online criminal community.
A concerning and emerging crime type is sadistic online exploitation, where victims are coerced online into performing explicit and violent acts on themselves, siblings, others or their pets.
The offenders will often trade abuse material with other members of the online criminal network to build their status, with no regard to the lifelong trauma inflicted on victims, their families and the communities they live in.
The online criminal network is also responsible for large-scale cyber attacks, extremist-inspired violence, doxxing, swatting, and violent offences in Australia and overseas.
The AFP has launched Taskforce Pompilid to identify, disrupt and dismantle those online ecosystems that target Australians - wherever they operate, however they hide and whoever they harm.
A team of experienced investigators and analysts, including cybercrime, counter terrorism, and child protection specialists, will work closely with domestic and international law enforcement partners to target the network.
In Australia, 59 alleged offenders have been identified as members of this decentralised online crime network. Importantly, through operational work with law enforcement partners in Australia and overseas, the AFP has moved quickly against offenders, resulting in nine international and three domestic arrests, and has intervened to stop the ongoing victimisation of a number of children in Australia.
AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said Taskforce Pompilid would use the full powers of the AFP and partners to protect victims and target offenders of this online crime network.
"Members of this decentralised online criminal network are cowards who hide in the dark corners of the internet and partake in criminal activities," Commissioner Barrett said.
"These online criminals believe they can hide online and commit abhorrent crimes with no repercussions for the pain caused from behind a keyboard.
"The crimes these individuals commit, whether that be cyber attacks or the exploitation of a vulnerable child for their own sadistic pleasure, demonstrate no consideration for the dignity, privacy and safety of human beings.
"Taskforce Pompilid is the AFP's commitment to eradicating these individuals - we want to take them away from their computer screens and put them before real-world courts to face justice for their crimes.
"The AFP, with our Australian and international law enforcement partners, is ready to unmask you, arrest you, and expose you to the real-life consequences of your criminal behaviour."
The AFP will work closely with the Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group to target the decentralised online crime network.
Parents and carers are encouraged to remain supportive of young people and provide opportunities for open conversations about appropriate and respectful interactions online.
Potential signs a young person is engaging with members of the online crime network, or is a victim of sadistic online exploitation, include:
- Signs of self-harm, particularly while online;
- Changes in eating or sleeping habits;
- Sudden withdrawal from family, friends or any usual social connection;
- Secretive online behaviour and extended periods of use with online devices; and
- Use of extreme language and symbols, or rejection of previously held morals.
If you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).
