This Civil Guard operation led to the arrest of a suspect accused of contacting children under 12 through online video games such as Fortnite, Call of Duty, and other platforms. After gaining what he portrayed as a friendly relationship, he allegedly pressured minors to engage in video calls and to display themselves. Sources close to the investigation provide these details to Efe.
The Central Operations Unit of the Civil Guard (UCO), an international case involving a suspect linked to Italy, identified more than 2,000 files of child pornography and alleges that the individual exploited at least 26 resident minors across various parts of Spain through these methods. This information underscores a nationwide pattern of abuse as the investigation broadened its reach.
Fortnite, Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and other popular games served as channels for ongoing communication between the suspect and his victims, with a pattern of grooming that included long-standing friendship and manipulation. He allegedly offered gifts in exchange for sexual video calls.
Since the arrest in November, authorities have documented 26 victims aged 8 to 12. Investigators caution that more victims could be identified in the months ahead as further work unfolds.
An investigative court in Getafe (Madrid) charged the arrested individual with 26 counts of sexual abuse and recruitment for the production of child pornography.
Complaint in Malaga
During an operation named Fontainlast in July, parents of a 9-year-old boy from Malaga reported concerns about a possible online connection between their son and an adult via a video game.
The UCO confirmed the existence of this relationship and expanded the inquiry to identify other possible victims across the country, prioritizing the case.
Investigators confirmed that the suspect had access to multiple gaming platforms where he contacted minors, with the figure rising to about 3,000 contacts over two years.
More than 2,000 child pornography files
Analysts reviewing seized material confirmed the accumulation of more than 2,000 child pornography files on both mobile devices and cloud storage associated with the detainee.
The investigation also revealed 81 payments to user accounts linked to gaming platforms used by minors, which were connected to gifts that accompanied video calls and the downloading of illicit material.
Parents of minors were shown photographs by Civil Guard officers, some of whom recognized their children in the images. In several cases, parents reported that their children were not supervised while using consoles.
Pederast profile
Sources close to the investigation indicate that the individual, described as the Italian suspect, faced indictments in 2005 for certain sexual abuse offenses, though only one victim was identified at that time.
The detainee has been returned to Italy and is alleged to have begun these crimes in the months prior to his latest activity in Spain, targeting minors and exploiting their vulnerability.
The suspect also presented himself as a sports trainer, a camp instructor, and an English teacher, though investigators could not verify employment in any of these roles at the time of the inquiry.
Authorities are aware of a separate case of sexual abuse by a minor where the person named allegedly met and encouraged inappropriate conduct at a nudist beach frequented by the detainee.