A 39-year-old man has been charged over the alleged use of cryptocurrency to buy child abuse material on the darknet.
Detectives searched a home at Mount Austin, Wagga Wagga, at about 10am on Tuesday, seizing three computers, mobile phones, hard drives, and other storage devices allegedly containing more than 1000 files of child abuse and bestiality material.
The man was taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station and charged with four counts of possessing child abuse material, possessing bestiality material, and producing child abuse material.
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Detective Acting Superintendent Jason Smith warned that those attempting to use the darknet or cryptocurrency to avoid detection are not safe.
Police execute a search warrant at a Wagga Wagga home, seizing devices allegedly containing thousands of illicit files. Credit: NSW Police ForceNSW Police warn offenders that the darknet offers no protection as investigations into child exploitation continue. Credit: NSW Police Force
“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,” the Commander of the Cybercrime Squad said.
“There is no online environment — hidden or otherwise — where individuals accessing or exchanging child abuse material are safe from law enforcement.
“We remain committed to protecting children and holding offenders accountable.”
The man was refused bail and will next appear at Wagga Wagga Local Court on April 22.
Investigations under Strike Force Angle are continuing as detectives work to uncover how offenders use cryptocurrency to access, share, and produce child abuse material online.
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