A West Australian man is scheduled to appear in Perth Magistrates Court today (16 October, 2026) charged over alleged sexualised online conversations with a child.
The investigation began when the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received a report in July, 2026, regarding a user of an instant messaging platform allegedly engaging in sexualised communications with someone they believed to be a 12-year-old girl.
It is alleged the communications occurred in June and July this year.
AFP investigators executed a search warrant at a home in Cooloongup, on 6 October, 2026, where the man, 40, was arrested.
He was charged with one count of attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child using a carriage service, being someone who was under 16 years of age, contrary to subsection 11.1(1) and section 474.25A(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The maximum penalty for this offence is 20 years' imprisonment.
He was granted conditional bail to appear in court today.
AFP Detective Acting Inspector Tim Knight said the AFP was committed to identifying and prosecuting anyone who attempted to exploit children online.
"Every child has the right to be safe, and the AFP will continue working with our law enforcement partners to identify alleged offenders and ensure they are brought to justice," Det A/Insp Knight said.
"The AFP works regularly with partners in Australia and overseas to detect, disrupt and prosecute child exploitation offenders wherever they operate."
The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse 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.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
