adminPort Elizabeth – A man suspected of being the kingpin of an international child porn syndicate has been arrested at his guesthouse in Grahamstown, according to reports.
eNCA reported that the 53-year-old guesthouse owner was arrested in a joint operation between police and the FBI.
According to the Daily Dispatch his arrest comes after a tip-off by Interpol to the Gauteng Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, after seven people were arrested in the US.
Unit commander Colonel Heila Niemand told eNCA that the man allegedly lured his victims by pretending to be a teenager. Niemand said once he found a victim he would gain their trust, getting them to perform sexual acts, which he recorded. She told the broadcaster that he would use these videos to con other girls into doing the same thing, grooming his victims over time. Each of these victims is different and none know each other, she said.
Times Live reported that plans were under way to have the man extradited to the US to stand trial for the abuse of 600 girls. Niemand said the FBI want him extradited as most of the 600 girls, aged between 8 and 13, are from the US. – News24
Online Reporter