5 males who thought they have been chatting on-line in an alleged bid to prey on a toddler have been charged with intercourse offences after a Queenslandpolice sting.
The accused, aged between 22 and 58, didn't know one another or that the "mum or dad" they have been allegedly talking to on-line have been actually officers from a specialist police taskforce investigating little one exploitation and abuse, Argos.
Gold Coast police coordinated with Argos detectives and swooped over the past 4 days, with arrests being made in flats, at a bus cease and in a driveway.
Police allege the lads have been utilizing the web to "meet and entry a toddler" with the intention of participating in sexual acts.
The accused are dealing with a string of kid intercourse offences:
- A 58-year-old Mermaid Waters man was charged with grooming a mum or dad or the carer of a kid beneath 16 years with intent to obtain little one for a sexual act
- A 25-year-old Mermaid Seashore man was charged with grooming a mum or dad or the carer of a kid beneath 16 years with intent to obtain little one for a sexual act, and the solicitation of kid abuse materials by utilizing a carriage service
- A 22-year-old Southport man was charged with grooming a mum or dad or the carer of a kid beneath 16 years with intent to obtain little one for a sexual act
- A 28-year-old Higher Coomera man was charged with grooming a mum or dad or the carer of a kid beneath 16 years with intent to obtain little one for a sexual act
- A forty five-year-old Helensvale man was charged with grooming a mum or dad or the carer of a kid beneath 16 years with intent to obtain little one for a sexual act
They're attributable to seem in courtroom between November 29 and December 6.
Detective Appearing Inspector Cameron Burke stated police will proceed to focus on offenders who "search to sexually exploit kids on-line".
"This operation additionally highlights that oldsters and carers have to have common conversations with their kids about on-line security and the significance of getting a trusted grownup that they'll speak in confidence to if they're apprehensive about a web based expertise or are feeling unsafe," Burke stated.
Detective Appearing Inspector Greg Aubort stated police stings like this draw out offenders who lurk on-line with the intent of grooming and sexually abusing kids.