Global Child Sexual Exploitation Crackdown: 28 Arrested in Norway and Beyond

Norway's National Criminal Investigation Service arrested 28 suspects across seven countries in a major operation targeting buyers of child sexual abuse material on dark web forums. The arrests, which occurred in early June 2026, involved suspects aged 22 to 54 from Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany. Investigators linked the suspects to payments made using Monero, a privacy-focused cryptocurrency. The operation, supported by Europol, resulted in the seizure of over 460 items, including electronic devices and crypto wallets, and the safeguarding of three children. The investigation is ongoing, with more arrests anticipated as law enforcement agencies continue to track down additional suspects. This crackdown highlights the effectiveness of new tracing methods for Monero transactions developed by Norwegian authorities in 2025.

Key Points: • 28 suspects arrested across seven countries for buying child sexual abuse material. • Payments were made using Monero, a cryptocurrency known for its privacy features. • The operation was supported by Europol and involved the rescue of three children.