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Poland plays key role in European operation against child exploitation network

09.04.2025 13:45
In a sweeping operation called "FEVER," law enforcement across Europe arrested 166 suspects, including 98 in Poland, dismantling a vast international child exploitation network.
In an international operation led by Polands cybercrime bureau and supported by the FBI, Europol, and other global partners, 166 suspects (including nearly 100 in Poland) were arrested for producing, sharing, and hosting child sexual abuse material.
In an international operation led by Poland’s cybercrime bureau and supported by the FBI, Europol, and other global partners, 166 suspects (including nearly 100 in Poland) were arrested for producing, sharing, and hosting child sexual abuse material.Photo: CBZC Poland

Nearly 600 officers participated in the operation, which was supported by Europol and J-CAT, with additional cooperation from law enforcement agencies in Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and Bulgaria.

International partners included the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security's Investigative Services (HSI), and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).

The Polish National Prosecutor’s Office's Cybercrime and Informatization Department, along with prosecutors from across the country, played a key role in the operation. Poland's contribution was particularly significant due to its leadership of the European Union Council in the first half of 2025.

FBI joins international cybercrime operation led by Poland’s Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime (CBZC). Photo: CBZC Poland FBI joins international cybercrime operation led by Poland’s Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime (CBZC). Photo: CBZC Poland

Europe's largest crackdown on international child abuse syndicate

In Poland, the 98 suspects ranged in age from 22 to 78, with 48 held in custody. These individuals were involved in producing child sexual abuse material, running online forums for exchanging such content, and even encouraging minors to contemplate suicide. Some offenders were relatives of the victims or public figures in positions of trust.

Law enforcement seized over 1,700 devices, including computers, hard drives, phones, and SIM cards, and uncovered over 520,000 illegal files containing child exploitation material. Authorities also discovered illicit substances and three unlicensed firearms.

Authorities shut down major pedophile streaming platform, 166 arrested

The suspects face serious charges for the possession, distribution, and production of child exploitation material. Those convicted of publicly displaying pornographic content in some cases could face up to 15 years in prison.

As part of the operation, authorities shut down "Kidflix," one of the largest pedophile streaming platforms, which had 1.8 million users since its launch in 2021 and hosted 91,000 videos of child abuse.

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Source: CBZC/KGP/IAR/PAP/X/@PolicjaCBZC/YouTube.com/@-CBZC