THE Royal Malaysian police have dismantled a major online child exploitation network, arresting 31 individuals and seizing more than 880,000 digital files containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and adult pornography in a nationwide sting operation.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), through its Criminal Investigation Department (JSJ) and in collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), launched ‘Op Pedo Bersepadu PDRM–SKMM 2.0’ to combat the alarming spread of CSAM across digital platforms.
“This crime is becoming increasingly concerning each year, as it not only threatens the safety and wellbeing of children but also undermines societal harmony and risks fuelling violent criminal behaviour that could endanger national security,” he said at a press conference in Bukit Aman today.
The operation, led by Senior Assistant Commissioner Siti Kamsiah Hassan, Head of the D11 Sexual, Women and Children’s Crime Investigation Division, was carried out between 22 and 30 September across 37 locations nationwide.
It involved 206 officers from 14 police contingents and the MCMC.
According to Mohd Khalid, intelligence gathering included cyber analysis, dark web monitoring and tip-offs from concerned users reporting suspicious online activities related to child exploitation.
“Of the 37 targets, 31 suspects were arrested — comprising 25 primary targets and six subsequent arrests,” he said.
The suspects, all male and aged between 12 and 71, came from various backgrounds, including teachers, engineers, graphic designers, cooks, students, and the unemployed.
“Seventeen suspects have been charged in court between 24 September and 10 October, while the remaining 14 were released on bail,” he added.
Police also seized 82 digital devices, including computers, mobile phones, modems and data storage units. Among those arrested were six minors aged between 12 and 17.
“Preliminary examinations uncovered more than 880,000 digital files containing CSAM and adult pornography — a 20-fold increase from the 40,000 files seized during Op Pedo 1.0 in December 2024,” Mohd Khalid said.
He added that 29 investigation papers were opened under various laws, including Sections 8 and 10 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, Section 292 of the Penal Code, and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
“Of these, 15 cases have been prosecuted involving 17 individuals, with 15 pleading guilty and fined between RM1,000 and RM10,000, while two others opted for trial,” he said.
Investigations revealed that suspects had accessed and distributed CSAM via Telegram, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, dark web channels and cloud storage platforms.
“Some acted as Telegram group administrators, offering paid access to CSAM through e-wallet or QR code transactions,” Mohd Khalid said, adding that the commercial element reflected a worrying trend of structured, profit-driven exploitation.
He reaffirmed that the PDRM would continue working closely with international enforcement agencies to combat child exploitation in cyberspace and urged the public to report suspicious online activity. - October 24, 2025
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