Australian Federal Police charge 20-year-old Perth man over sextortion of three young girls

A Perth man who allegedly lied about his age to sexually extort three young girls has prompted the Australian Federal Police to warn parents about the dangers of “manipulative predators” online. The West Australian can reveal the shocking case in which a 20-year-old man from Perth’s north is accused of lying about his age to obtain explicit images from three girls under the age of 16 after a months-long investigation involving US authorities. The WA Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team — compromising of AFP and WA Police investigators — were first alerted to the man in October after receiving a report about a user’s online activity from the US National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The AFP then linked the man to the account and conducted a search warrant at his Carramar home on April 2. Police seized his computer and mobile devices — and after forensic searches — allegedly uncovered proof he “lied about his age on an instant messaging platform” and had “sexually explicit conversations with three girls under 16”. It is alleged that after the victims sent the man intimate images he attempted to manipulate the girls into sending him more. “He also allegedly threatened to screenshot the images sent by one girl when she refused his demands,” an AFP spokesman said. AFP Inspector Shona Davis said the alleged offending was a “critical” reminder for parents to supervise and discuss social media use with children. “There are potential dangers associated with children using online platforms, apps and games, so they need to be reminded to never reveal personal information to anyone they communicate with online,’’ Insp. Davis said. “Supervision can not only prevent an incident from happening but can also be critical for adults in taking swift action if they need to alert law enforcement.” It comes as the AFP charge two other WA men over separate alleged sex crimes — including a 73-year-old man caught at Perth Airport with videos of children being sexually abused on his phone. The Australian Border Force stopped the man at the airport for a luggage check when he returned from an overseas flight on May 12 before his phone was seized by the AFP. He was later charged with two child abuse material offences after police examined the material. And in a third case, a 27-year-old was tracked to a St James property after the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation raised the alarm about an online user accessing the abuse material. His home was raided on March 20 by the anti-exploitation team before investigators allegedly uncovered bestiality and child abuse material on his mobile phone. Their investigation into his alleged offending is continuing. Insp. Davis said the AFP remained committed to prosecuting offenders and protecting children by working with partner authorities. “This is not a victimless crime,” Insp. Davis said. “The AFP works closely with ABF and other partners in Australia and overseas to protect children and prosecute anyone involved in their harm. “Children are not commodities to be used for the abhorrent gratification of sexual predators.” All three men will face the Perth Magistrates Court on Friday on various charges.