Out-Law News

Italian police use fake web site to lure child-porn suspects


Italian prosecutors have charged 831 suspects in Italy with offering or downloading child pornography and, using the lure of a fake web site, put a further 660 European, American and Malaysian individuals under investigation in the biggest case of its kind. They also issued an international warrant for the arrest of a Russian suspected of heading the paedophile ring responsible for the material.

A fake child pornography web site was set up by Italian authorities working with Microsoft called “amantideibambini”, or loversofchildren. It took registrations from 660 individuals, despite clear warnings about what the site would contain. These individuals are now under investigation. In addition, six hundred homes in Italy were searched in connection with possession and trade in child pornography, all of it from Russia.

According to the lead Italian prosecutor, most of those arrested in Italy will avoid custodial sentences if they co-operate with the court.

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