Latvian police arrest three men for sexually abusing children on social networks

Latvian state police have arrested three men for sexually abusing children on social networks, police confirmed.

In February, March and May, Latvian police arrested three men – born in 1993, 2003 and 2005 – on suspicion of involving 16-year-olds in the production of pornographic material. The suspects communicated with several minors via social networks and asked them to send them sexually explicit content of their own creation.

The three suspects were arrested.

The suspects’ homes were searched. Police seized data storage devices and other devices used in the crimes. During the investigation, correspondence with several potential victims was identified. The identification of the victims is ongoing. However, at least 15 profiles of children on social networks have been identified. Their owners may have been asked to create and send content of a sexual nature. Police warn that the total number of victims may be higher.

Parents played an important role in assisting police by checking their children’s phones and social media profiles and discovering correspondence with strangers asking their children to send them sexual photos and videos. Parents reported their findings to police, helping with the investigation.

The State Police emphasizes that social networks and Internet applications are an environment that is not only used by children. That is why it is important that parents monitor their children’s activities on the Internet and protect the privacy of their profiles so that only a limited number of people can follow them.

In this way, it is possible to protect the child from potential seduction and sexual exploitation on the Internet. This may begin with the simple establishment of a friendly relationship with an unknown person through online correspondence, but its real purpose may be to entice the child to engage in sexual activities, which may take the form of discussions about sexual topics, inducing sexual acts or taking and sending photos showing intimate body parts, the police commented.

Information on child safety on the Internet can be found on the website of the Latvian Safer Internet Centre (drossinternets.lv).

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