Islamabad, Apr 3, 2025: German law enforcement announced on Wednesday the dismantling of one of the largest darknet platforms involved in the distribution of child exploitation material, as reported by Anadolu Agency.
The operation, named “OP Stream,” was a collaborative effort that saw the involvement of law enforcement from 38 nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and several European Union countries.
Dutch authorities took control of the platform known as “KidFlix,” which had been active on the darknet, requiring users to register and make payments via cryptocurrency.
At the time of its closure, the platform had gathered over 1.8 million users globally and housed tens of thousands of horrific images and videos depicting severe child sexual abuse.
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The operation, led by German investigators with support from Europol, identified 1,393 suspects worldwide, including more than 100 individuals from Germany, despite the efforts of perpetrators to remain anonymous.
Germany A key element of the investigation was tracing the cryptocurrency transactions that the platform’s operators and users employed to evade detection.
Authorities were able to track payments even when the suspects used mixing services and privacy-enhancing cryptocurrencies, as stated by the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (BLKA) and the Bamberg Public Prosecutor’s Office.
From March 10 to March 23, a series of thorough searches took place, resulting in the seizure of electronic devices such as mobile phones and computers.
The investigation remains ongoing in multiple countries, with law enforcement agencies continuing to examine the confiscated evidence and conduct further operations.
