In Geelong’s lair, a man is accused of creating an online game that simulates sexual abuse against animated children’s characters
- Man charged with ‘heinous’ crimes of child abuse
- His house was filled with popular toys and figurines
A man who allegedly created a game that simulated sexual abuse of animated children’s characters operated out of a house full of toys and figurines popular with teens.
The 31-year-old man was arrested by police on August 2 at his home in Geelong, Victoria.
Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) allege that the man created an online game that attracted a large number of users around the world, who paid to access the game.
A photo of his home released by the AFP showed a pool table piled high with masks and figurines from the video game Halo, along with a Spiderman head.
A photo of his home released by the Australian Federal Police showed a pool table (pictured) filled with masks and figurines from the video game Halo, along with a Spiderman head
CACT commander Paula Hudson said the asset seizure “demonstrates that the AFP will not tolerate anyone attempting to cash in on child abuse by enabling predators to pay for simulated child exploitation.”
It’s the first time a case in Victoria has targeted a gaming platform of such an “insidious nature,” officers said, and has sparked concern it could be a new trend in child crimes
The AFP’s Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) seized two cars, expensive computer and TV equipment and furniture from the man’s home
The AFP’s Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) seized two cars, expensive computer and TV equipment and furniture from the man’s home.
The man has been charged with controlling, producing and possessing child pornography material and handling the proceeds of crime.
He is the first alleged online child sex predator in Victoria to be stripped of assets suspected to have been purchased with money earned from crime.
The Victorian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team began its investigation in May when the game was discovered by the Australian Border Force and referred to the police.
It is the first time a case in Victoria has targeted a gaming platform of such an “insidious nature,” officers said, and has raised concerns it could be a new trend in child crimes.
“For someone to create this kind of platform and treat this crime theme like a game is utterly horrifying, especially when that person is essentially in our own backyard,” said Victoria Police Chief Paul O’Halloran.
“While the material on the platform does not involve live children, it is made to mimic that and this is clearly of great concern to us.”
CACT commander Paula Hudson said the asset seizure “demonstrates that the AFP will not tolerate anyone attempting to cash in on child abuse by enabling predators to pay for simulated child exploitation.”
“We will track down and locate and seize ill-gotten gains from offenders.”
Investigations into those who played the game continue as police work with Australia’s eSafety Commissioner to remove it from the internet.
The 31-year-old man has been released on bail and will appear before Geelong Magistrates Court on December 5.
The alleged child predator (pictured at home) has been released on bail and will appear before Geelong Magistrates Court on December 5
Expensive computer and TV equipment and furniture (photo) from the man’s house were also seized