Cyber Crime
INTERPOL Leads to 144 Arrests and Rescues 20 Child Victims Across South America
LYON, France – A large-scale international operation aimed at child sex offenders has resulted in the arrest of 144 individuals and the rescue of 20 victims across South America.
The initiative, named Operation Orion International, saw 12 South American countries join forces to combat the production, distribution, and possession of online child sexual abuse material, with a particular focus on identifying and rescuing victims. The operation was coordinated with support from INTERPOL.
Among those arrested, 18 were directly involved in abuse, while 111 others were charged with possession and distribution of illegal materials. Seven internationally wanted individuals, who were the subject of INTERPOL Red Notices for child sex offenses, were also apprehended during the crackdown. The arrested individuals, predominantly men aged between 14 and 86, came from various professions, including professor, graphic designer, security guard, mechanic, musician, journalist, psychologist, and taxi driver.
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Case Studies: Years of Abuse Ended
In Argentina, authorities had been investigating the circulation of child exploitation material on messaging platforms. INTERPOL’s data helped identify and safeguard a nine-year-old child who had endured at least six years of abuse.
In another case in Chile, police uncovered an offender sharing child exploitation material through messaging groups. Further investigation revealed that the same individual had also produced such material. This led to the rescue of a 14-year-old girl, the daughter of the perpetrator’s partner.
International Cooperation Crucial to Operation’s Success
As part of Operation Orion International, countries were also tasked with reviewing existing Red Notices related to child sex offenders believed to be residing within their borders. In one notable case, cooperation between Korean and Ecuadorian authorities, supported by INTERPOL, led to the arrest of the manager of a website distributing child exploitation material.
The region-wide initiative ran from May to September 2024 and was launched by INTERPOL based on intelligence provided by Chile’s cybercrime unit and the Buenos Aires prosecutor’s office, both of which were investigating the transnational distribution of child sexual abuse material via instant messaging apps.
INTERPOL’s Crimes Against Children unit consolidated this intelligence and shared it with participating nations. A preoperational meeting, supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, laid the foundation for cross-border cooperation, involving both prosecutors and investigators.
Ongoing Efforts to Protect Children
INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock emphasized the significance of this operation:
“This operation is a sobering reminder that child abusers can come from any background. Thanks to this international collaboration, children who have experienced years of abuse have been rescued from further exploitation. INTERPOL remains committed to working with member countries to safeguard society’s most vulnerable.”
The success of Operation Orion International relied on both international and national cooperation, leading to arrests and victim rescues in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The evidence and hardware seized during the operation have opened new avenues for future investigations.
Participating countries included Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Further developments are expected as investigations continue.