Takedown of underground paedophile network nets 900 arrests

[oztony 36,121]

 

Quote

 

Nearly 900 suspected paedophiles have been arrested and almost 300 children identified or rescued from their abusers following the massive takedown of an underground online paedophile network, US and European police said Friday.

A more than two-year investigation into the notorious Playpen network and its members led to the arrests, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Europol said, an announcement that came just days after a US court sentenced Playpen founder and administrator Steven Chase to 30 years in prison.

The arrest of Florida-based Chase in December 2014 set off a sweeping global probe into the users of the members-only forum.

Playpen was buried deep online in what is known as the "darknet", where Tor anonymity software and encryption hide often illegal activities.

In this case, it masked participants in a forum where people submitted and traded photographs and videos of the sexual abuse of children.

The nearly 900 arrests included dozens of abusers and child pornography creators.

Dubbed "Operation Pacifier", the investigation began when the FBI used its own malware to effectively seize the Playpen website and server.

Operating it for several weeks more, investigators then hacked and tracked site users by sending malware to their computers.

In an operation that critics say was legally questionable, more than 1000 computers worldwide were hacked in this way by the FBI, and their users identified.

Lead FBI investigator Dan Alfin said the operation is ongoing.

"As they get smarter, we adapt, we find them," he said. "It's a cat-and-mouse game, except it's not a game. Kids are being abused, and it's our job to stop that."

Civil liberties groups however were strongly critical of the way the FBI took over the network and traced users with its own malware hacking tools.

A single search warrant should not have allowed investigators to gain access to and search more than 1000 private computers, the Electronic Frontier Foundation said in comments to some of the Playpen court cases.

"The warrant here did not identify any particular person to search or seize. Nor did it identify any specific user of the targeted website," the organization said. "It did not even attempt to describe any series or group of particular users."

In a statement Friday, Steven Wilson, head of Europol's European Cybercrime Center, said the case demonstrated how law enforcement needs to use such methods to fight criminals who can hide behind online anonymisation and encryption programs.

"We need to balance the rights of victims versus the right to privacy," he said. "If we operate by 19th century legal principles then we are unable to effectively tackle crime at the highest level."

Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/world/2017/05/06/04/50/takedown-of-underground-paedophile-network-nets-900-arrests#DcRT6fERjyOfOW9Q.99

 

 

[Alfred E. Neuman 5,791]

Can‘t it be considered "hot pursuit" operation since the crime is ongoing? No need for search warrant..

[Lee 17,711]

That is a good start, now all they have to do is shoot all proven pedos on sight, like they did in the Philippines with drug dealers, and the world can become a better place, anyone who preys on children is the lowest form of scum and that includes any religion or group which allows for such scum of the earth behavior. . 

[SkyMan 25,982]

They connected to the network and put themselves into the warrant.  I could give a feck about the civil liberties of these scum.  Why aren't they concerned with the civil liberties of the victims?

[+Dafey 17,918]

I hate bullies of any kind...but these are the worst. Glad they brought them to justice.

[Lee 17,711]

1 minute ago, SkyMan said:

They connected to the network and put themselves into the warrant.  I could give a feck about the civil liberties of these scum.  Why aren't they concerned with the civil liberties of the victims?

Over the years I had actually followed up on some victims of pedos via their families and believe me when I tell you all, of those I did, they were destroyed for life, thus the pedos do not deserve to live for the lives they ruined. On top of that, tax payers end up paying for mental and benefits for many of those victims for the rest of their lives, one women I still followed up on with her family via emails, has been under continuous physiological treatment and has not been able to work a day in her life, so sadly, on disability, food stamps and welfare and unable to function in the world....  

[oztony 36,121]

If you ever talk to police , ex or serving and also prison guards they say that paedophiles always commit further crimes even after being caught the first time , 

An incurable disease in their brain which is best treated with a bullet , because once a paedophile always a paedophile ..no cure ..just misery for their victims.

Mandatory castration would be the minimum that they should receive as far as treatment is concerned.

[Lee 17,711]

The only cured pedo is a dead pedo.

[smokey 22,058]

i was at G Talisay and buying a newpaper from rose pharmacy downstairs this girl maybe 15 slid up to me and says..   Sir are you a foreigner..?  yes... can i ask you what your name is ... OK... i start walking and she is right behind me.. Sir do you live here ... yes.... keep walking upstairs.. .. sir are you married.. yes and my wife is very mean..... Sir can i be your friend... Dy you seem like a nice girl its not polite to follow a grown man around ... Sir can i come home with you i need money to pay for my school.... Dy please stop following me ... Sir ... STOP .. ok sir so can i say feck you and she walks away ...  

 

 

GEE guess she will tell everyone how mean foreigners are and rude ..

Edited May 6, 2017 by smokey

[chaminade1964 125]

11 hours ago, Lee said:

Over the years I had actually followed up on some victims of pedos via their families and believe me when I tell you all, of those I did, they were destroyed for life, thus the pedos do not deserve to live for the lives they ruined. On top of that, tax payers end up paying for mental and benefits for many of those victims for the rest of their lives, one women I still followed up on with her family via emails, has been under continuous physiological treatment and has not been able to work a day in her life, so sadly, on disability, food stamps and welfare and unable to function in the world....  

 

Where are the parents when their children are being preyed upon by these pedophiles?

[samatm 3,131]

35 minutes ago, chaminade1964 said:

Where are the parents when their children are being preyed upon by these pedophiles?

 It really doesn't matter does it ?? 

[chaminade1964 125]

26 minutes ago, samatm said:

 It really doesn't matter does it ?? 

I was asking those who worked with these children so I could get a better grip on why it happens. Parental guidance is very important. Most parents will tell you they did not know, were too busy, or too trusting.

When I was a teacher, I reported parental physical and sexual abuse. As a Principal, I investigated and reported teacher/student abuse. The teacher was a pedophile, who took advantage of students on camping trips. It was never pleasant testifying in court, but I did what I had to do. So yes for me it does matter. 

Edited May 6, 2017 by chaminade1964
typo...an to and

[oztony 36,121]

Usually it is someone that is trusted, because they then have the opportunity , an uncle , older cousin , family friend ..it does not mean the children are not cared for properly ...more so that there is a treacherous traitor in the midst .

[samatm 3,131]

36 minutes ago, chaminade1964 said:

I was asking those who worked with these children so I could get a better grip on why it happens. Parental guidance is very important. Most parents will tell you they did not know, were too busy, or too trusting.

When I was a teacher, I reported parental physical and sexual abuse. As a Principal, I investigated and reported teacher/student abuse. The teacher was a pedophile, who took advantage of students on camping trips. It was never pleasant testifying in court, but I did what I had to do. So yes for me it does matter. 

 

Glad you clarified.. because your original post came across as sympathetic  to Pedos ....  like it was the parents fault.     

[Alfred E. Neuman 5,791]

Those who can open sites like these are usually required to post their own evil deed to become members. May all involved get their due.