38 Nations Join Forces to Shut Down Darknet Child Abuse Site
In a significant global operation, 'OP Stream', 38 nations united to combat the sexual exploitation of children online. The campaign, spanning March 10 to 23, 2025, led to numerous arrests and the seizure of substantial evidence.
The operation targeted 'KidFlix', a Darknet platform focused on streaming videos of child sexual abuse. Authorities identified over 1,300 suspects worldwide and approximately 1.8 million users who registered on the site. More than 91,000 videos, totaling 6,288 hours, were available after registration and payment via cryptocurrencies.
The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) played a pivotal role in the investigation. They secured and shared cryptocurrency data that led to the arrest of an international suspect in the United States. In Germany, arrests were made in Middle Franconia, Lower Saxony, and Chemnitz. In the latter case, a 36-year-old man was arrested for seeking children on 'KidFlix' for severe sexual abuse, and his minor son was placed under the care of the youth welfare office. Similarly, a 30-year-old man was arrested in Middle Franconia, and his two minor children were also placed in the care of the youth welfare office.
Europol coordinated the international investigations, helping to identify victims and facilitate arrests. Raids in Lower Saxony resulted in the seizure of 201 exhibits, including a child sex doll and sedatives.
The successful execution of 'OP Stream' underscores the power of international collaboration in combating child sexual abuse. The operation resulted in numerous arrests and the seizure of substantial evidence, including over 91,000 videos. The involvement of Europol and various national law enforcement agencies was instrumental to the operation's success.
