Sixty-three UK-based users of a Dark Web site hosting child sexual abuse material have been identified following work by the National Crime Agency.
Police in Germany started an investigation into the site, Kidflix, which resembled a well-known video streaming service.
They identified 1,275 users from around the world who had either paid for access to material through cryptocurrency or earned access through uploading their own material, where they would earn site-specific credits, which would allow them access to further child abuse imagery.
After receiving information from the German authorities in February, NCA officers identified 63 UK users who were active on the site and had used cryptocurrency to access CSA material. Investigators then provided the intelligence to 28 UK forces so action could be taken.
To date, 30 people have been arrested in the UK, and the German authorities have taken down the Dark Web site.
NCA Senior Manager Neil Keeping said, “With thanks to our law enforcement partners in Germany and Europol, a dangerous site hosting tens of thousands of child sexual abuse videos has been taken down.
“NCA intelligence officers worked quickly to identify the UK users of the site, providing a package of intelligence to forces across the country so arrests could be made and children could be safeguarded.
“Providing this global to local response is paramount in our role to protect children from child sexual abuse and criminals who seek out this content.
“We will continue to work with international law enforcement partners to disrupt the online platforms that operate on the dark web, purely for the sexual gratification of offenders, and ensure children are safeguarded from abuse.”
