Northern Ireland Suspects Linked to Global Dark Web Child Abuse Ring

Three suspects from Northern Ireland have been identified as part of an investigation into the users of a Dark Web child sexual abuse website. German Police Investigation

German police investigated and shut down a site known as Kidflix, which resembled a well-known streaming service and was thought to be one of the largest paedophile platforms in the world. Over 1.8 million users had logged onto the platform, with the investigation identifying almost 1,400 suspects worldwide, including 63 from the UK.

PSNI Confirms Suspects

The PSNI have now confirmed that three of the UK suspects are from Northern Ireland, with two arrests made so far and three properties searched. On March 19, a 26-year-old man in Coleraine was arrested and two devices seized from his home. He has been released pending further enquiries. Additionally, on the same date, a 34-year-old man from Dundonald was arrested and five devices seized. He has also been released pending further enquiries. Finally, on March 20, a 40-year-old man from Derry had his home searched and six devices seized. The PSNI spokesperson stated that due to the ongoing investigation, no further comments can be made at this stage.

Global Response

27 other police forces in addition to the PSNI have been given intelligence on potential users of the site, resulting in 79 arrests so far for child sexual abuse material offenses. 30 of the arrested individuals were from the UK. NCA Senior Manager Neil Keeping acknowledged the collaborative efforts that led to the takedown of the site and emphasized the importance of safeguarding children.

Largest Operation Ever

Kidflix, the platform at the center of the investigation, was created in 2021 and attracted significant usage among paedophiles. Authorities revealed that 91,000 unique videos were shared on the platform, totaling over 6,200 hours of content. Operation Stream, which led to shutting down the site, was supported by Europol and involved 35 countries, making it the largest operation in Europol's history in fighting child sexual exploitation.

Europol's Statement

Catherine De Bolle, Europol Executive Director, highlighted the evolution of online child sexual exploitation and emphasized the need for collective action to protect children at risk. She stressed the human impact behind these crimes, calling for society to prioritize child protection.