In one of the alleged incidents, detectives from the Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU), began engaging online with a man, who they will allege in court believed he was speaking with a 14-year-old girl and engaged in conversations about sexually-explicit acts he wished to perform on the child.
Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives arrested a 32-year-old man outside a business at Chullora on Friday, June 21.
Shortly after, investigators executed a search warrant at a home in Cabramatta, where they allegedly seized several electronic devices to undergo forensic examination
The man was charged with using a carriage service to procure a person under the age of 16 for sexual activity. He was refused bail to re-appear at court on August 21.
Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec, said parents needed to speak with their children regularly about online safety.
“It’s important to speak to your child about the dangers associated with online conversations and know what your child is doing online,” Det Supt Kerlatec said.
“With children currently on school holidays, it’s a timely reminder to keep an eye on how much time your child is spending on the internet, what websites they are visiting, and who they may be speaking with.
“Not only should young people be very careful about providing personal information details to a person they only know in an online environment, they should never organise to meet as doing so may place them at further risk of harm.
“If they encounter something or someone they are not comfortable with, we encourage them to speak to someone they trust, who can then let our investigators know,” Det Supt Kerlatec said.
Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by the CEIU into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.
Anyone with information about internet predators should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Four internet predator arrests
POLICE are urging parents and carers to monitor their child’s online activities after Strike Force Trawler detectives charged four men in the last three weeks over the alleged online procurement and incitement of children for sex.
