Polish police have successfully dismantled a vast online network involved in the distribution of child sexual abuse material, resulting in the arrest of 166 individuals across 12 European countries. The operation, known as “FEVER,” was a collaborative effort involving police forces from 11 other European nations.
The crackdown focused on a sophisticated online network where perpetrators shared illegal images and videos of child sexual exploitation. Polish authorities confirmed that some of the individuals arrested were responsible for producing this abusive material, while others operated online forums where the content was exchanged. Disturbingly, the network also targeted vulnerable minors, with reports indicating that some offenders encouraged children to engage in harmful behavior, including contemplating suicide.
Among those arrested, 98 were taken into custody in Poland. The suspects included not only individuals who directly produced and distributed the abusive material but also close family members and confidants of the victims who played a role in the exploitation.
In Poland, a coordinated operation involving 600 police officers led to 159 separate searches. Authorities seized more than 1,700 devices, including computers, hard drives, smartphones, and SIM cards. The raids resulted in the confiscation of more than 520,000 videos and images depicting child sexual abuse.
The Polish police’s cybercrime office stated that 111 of the 166 people arrested in the operation have been remanded in custody, with 48 of those held in Poland. The authorities continue to investigate the network and are working closely with their European counterparts to identify and apprehend further individuals involved.
The operation highlights the increasing cooperation among European law enforcement agencies to combat online child abuse and exploitation. Polish police emphasized the significant role of international collaboration in disrupting such networks and bringing offenders to justice.
This operation is a critical step in addressing the growing issue of online child sexual abuse, which continues to pose a severe threat to minors across Europe and around the world.
