Child Abuse Network on Telegram: 55 Men Arrested After Ten-Month Investigation

A sweeping operation led by France’s Central Office for the Protection of Minors (Ofmin) has resulted in the arrest of 55 men across 42 French departments this week, following the dismantling of a child abuse network operating via the encrypted messaging platform Telegram. This crackdown is the culmination of ten months of discreet and complex investigations, triggered by the arrest last summer of several predators who were broadcasting child sexual abuse online, according to information from RTL, quickly confirmed by H24 NEW.

Ordinary Profiles, High Risk

The suspects, aged between 25 and 75, come from diverse backgrounds: an archbishop, a paramedic, a music teacher, single men, fathers and even grandfathers. Some held positions involving contact with children. All are suspected of possessing, distributing, or regularly viewing child sexual abuse material—some of it depicting children under ten. Although the Paris prosecutor initially took up the case, jurisdiction has since been passed to local courts due to the decentralized nature of the arrests.

Investigators targeted three main profiles: individuals with previous convictions for offenses against minors; those who had expressed intent—real or fantasized—to commit abuse; and individuals in sensitive jobs involving children. “We prioritized suspects who posed a direct threat, such as a father of three who wrote online that he dreamed of having sex with his six-year-old daughter,” said Commissioner Quentin Bevan, who led the operation.

Telegram: A Preferred But Problematic Platform

The investigation uncovered thousands of messages exchanged via Telegram, which authorities describe as “the go-to platform for child sex offenders.” While Telegram has reportedly made efforts to cooperate with law enforcement since its founder Pavel Durov was briefly detained in France in 2024, officials say the platform still falls short of its legal obligations. Telegram insists it is fully compliant with European laws, citing moderation teams, digital fingerprint bans, and transparent reporting tools.

All 55 suspects have now been referred to the judicial system. Some have already appeared in court, while others await trial. Most, according to Ofmin, downplayed or denied the allegations during police questioning. However, investigators say the digital evidence, gathered over months of undercover work and image analysis, is damning.