A 42-year-old man has been charged with 931 child sex offences after pretending to be Justin Bieber on various online platforms in order to lure underage victims.
The man has been charged with rape, indecent treatment of children, and making child exploitation material – among numerous other charges. He was taken down by Queensland Police’s Task Force Argos who had been monitoring the man.
A “large amount of child exploitation material” was found on the man’s computer, dating back a decade. Queensland Police allege he used a variety of social network platforms, such as Facebook and Skype in order to solicit exhibit material.
Detective Inspector Jon Rouse praises the Taskforce, warning parents to be watchful of their children’s online activity.
“This investigation demonstrates both the vulnerability of children that are utilising social media and communication applications and the global reach and skill that child sex offenders have to groom and seduce victims,” he said.
“The fact that so many children could believe that they were communicating with this particular celebrity highlights the need for a serious rethink about the way that we as a society educate our children about online safety.
“The breadth of offences committed in this instance are frankly horrendous and I want to recognise the efforts and commitment of the investigative team at Taskforce Argos to keeping children safe.”
