Man Faces Charges Over Alleged Cryptocurrency-Funded Child Abuse Material on Darknet
A 39-year-old man has been charged in connection with the alleged use of cryptocurrency to purchase child abuse material on the darknet, following a police operation in Wagga Wagga. Detectives executed a search warrant at a residence in Mount Austin, Wagga Wagga, at approximately 10am on Tuesday, leading to the seizure of multiple electronic devices.
During the raid, authorities confiscated three computers, mobile phones, hard drives, and other storage devices. These items are alleged to contain more than 1000 files of child abuse and bestiality material, highlighting the severity of the case.
Police Warn Against Darknet Anonymity
The man was taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station and charged with four counts, including possessing child abuse material, possessing bestiality material, and producing child abuse material. Detective Acting Superintendent Jason Smith issued a stern warning to offenders, emphasizing that the darknet and cryptocurrency do not provide the anonymity they might expect.
"It does not provide the anonymity they expect. Our investigators have the capability, the willingness and tenacity to unmask these offenders and bring them to justice," said the Commander of the Cybercrime Squad. "There is no online environment — hidden or otherwise — where individuals accessing or exchanging child abuse material are safe from law enforcement."
Police reiterated their commitment to protecting children and holding offenders accountable, noting that ongoing investigations under Strike Force Angle aim to uncover how cryptocurrency is used to access, share, and produce child abuse material online.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigations
The man was refused bail and is scheduled to appear at Wagga Wagga Local Court on April 22. This case underscores the persistent efforts by law enforcement to combat child exploitation in digital spaces.
Investigations continue as detectives work to trace and disrupt networks involved in such illicit activities, with a focus on the role of cryptocurrency in facilitating these crimes. The seizure of devices and files serves as a stark reminder of the reach and determination of police in tackling online child abuse.
