This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police, NSW Police Force and Australian Border Force
Editor’s note: Vision and images from search warrants available via Hightail
The AFP has executed 15 search warrants and charged nine people with more than 30 online child abuse offences during a two-week blitz, with assistance from NSW Police Force (NSWPF) and Australian Border Force (ABF).
The AFP’s Operation Titan follows an increase in reports of child abuse material made to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE). In the 2024-2025 financial year, the ACCCE received more than 82,700 reports of child exploitation, a 41 per cent rise from the previous financial year.
More than 140 members from the AFP, NSWPF and ABF executed search warrants between 28 August and 11 September, 2025, in metropolitan Sydney, the Central Coast and Wollongong. This activity coincides with the end of National Child Protection Week (7-13 September, 2025), part of the joint agencies’ ongoing commitment to combating this insidious crime type.
The most significant arrest involved a Wyongah man, who allegedly paid for live online child sexual abuse involving minors offshore on three occasions.
More than 50 electronic devices, including phones, laptops, USBs and hard drives, have been seized by police and will be subject to further forensic examination.
None of the individuals charged currently hold employment positions with access to children.
The accused face offences with a maximum penalty of 10 to 20 years’ imprisonment.
AFP Commander Brett James said creating, possessing and sharing child abuse material was not a victimless crime, and left victims with lifelong trauma.
“Perpetrators are indifferent to the harm they cause victims and are only motivated by their abhorrent desires,” Commander James said.
“Our message to online offenders has not changed – if you commit these crimes, you will be found, arrested and prosecuted.
“Law enforcement agencies around Australia have an essential focus on protecting children and work to find and apprehend those who seek to exploit them or contribute to the wider exploitation of children around the world by creating a demand for this abuse material.
“I am extremely proud of the work of our investigators, as well as our colleagues at NSW Police Force and ABF, who we work together with every day to ultimately protect the most vulnerable people in our communities.”
NSW Police Force Detective Acting Superintendent Rachel Fawcett, Commander Sex Crimes Squad, said NSWPF investigators worked tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to track offenders who exploited children online and hold them to account.
“Every successful operation and arrest is a step toward a safer digital environment, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to bringing perpetrators to justice and protecting our children.”
ABF Superintendent Shaun Baker said Border Force officers worked collaboratively with law enforcement and other border agencies to detect and stop abhorrent child abuse material from crossing our border.
“Our officers engage with children in all sorts of operation circumstances, whether they’re passing through our ports and airports, during our work within the community or when we encounter serious instances of abuse,” Supt Baker said.
“Increasing awareness around child abuse material ensures we are not masking the taboo topic anymore – as this year’s theme highlights, shifting conversation into action. ABF officers across the country take action daily to prevent child abuse material crossing the Australian border.
“I have experienced firsthand the vital role we play in protecting our most vulnerable, including children. We will always prioritise keeping children out of harm’s way.”
