KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), in collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), has crippled a syndicate involved in the distribution and possession of online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) through Op Pedo 2.0.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the September 22-30 operation headed by D11 of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), arrested 31 individuals, including six minors and one foreigner, aged between 12 and 71, during simultaneous raids on 37 locations nationwide.
“The operation, involving 206 personnel from 14 PDRM and MCMC contingents, was the result of digital intelligence, dark web monitoring and public reports on the online sexual exploitation of children,” he told a media conference here today.
According to him, 25 people were the main targets, while six others were follow-up arrests. He said 82 digital devices like computers, mobile phones, modems and data storage units were seized.
“Investigations uncovered over 880,000 digital files containing CSAM and adult pornography, which is a 20-fold increase compared with the 40,000 files found during Op Pedo 1.0 in December 2024,” he said.
Khalid said 17 suspects were charged in court between September 24 and October 10 and 14 others have been released on police bail, adding that 29 investigation papers had been opened under the Sexual Offences against Children Act 2017, the Penal Code and the Immigration Act 1959/63.
“Fifteen investigation papers received orders to charge 17 suspects. Fifteen of them pleaded guilty and were fined between RM1,000 and RM10,000, while two others will face trial,” he said.
He added that investigations also found that the suspects had used various social media platforms, such as Telegram, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, dark web and cloud storage, to access and distribute CSAM.
“Some acted as Telegram group administrators and offered paid access using e-wallets or banking QR codes,” he said.
Khalid revealed that one key finding of the operation was the involvement of people in positions of authority, like religious teachers, in addition to the increase in the commercialisation of the crime, which is now more organised and based on financial gain.
Also concerning, he said, was the involvement of youth aged between 17 and 21, including a 17-year-old student who made a profit of RM76,000 in the first nine months of this year from selling child pornography.
“These findings show a serious moral shift and an urgent need to strengthen parental supervision and device use controls among children,” he said.
He also emphasised that police view online child sexual offences seriously and will not compromise in its efforts to protect this vulnerable group.
He said police are committed to strengthening strategic collaborations with the MCMC and international enforcement agencies to ensure children’s safety and dignity.
“Strict and uncompromising action will be taken against any party that profits from the suffering of our children,” Khalid said.
