KUALA LUMPUR: The minors detained under Ops Pedo are suspected of producing sexually explicit animated content which was sold online for between RM50 and RM60 per clip, accordin to police.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Comm Datuk M. Kumar said the finding followed the detention of the eight, aged 13 to 18, during the integrated operation conducted with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) from Sept 14 to 16.
He said investigations found that some of the suspects not only downloaded child sexual abuse material (CSAM), but also produced animated content before distributing or selling it online.
"Some suspects became more creative by producing their own anime-style content and selling it online, using methods such as e-wallets and PayPal.
"This is deeply concerning as it shows active involvement in producing content, rather than merely consuming it," he told a press conference on Integrated Ops Pedo 3.0 here on Tuesday (Sept 22).
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Comm Kumar said the youngest suspect detained was a 13-year-old girl.
"Investigations found that some of the children involved gained knowledge of such activities through online platforms," he said.
He added that the minors involved interacted in online communities with those who shared similar interests and tendencies.
"We see the influence of social media, unrestricted Internet access and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), potentially contributing to the development of this trend.
"That is why continuous parental monitoring is crucial, as children today are more exposed to and more adept at using digital technology," he said.
Comm Kumar said enforcement alone was insufficient to curb such offences, adding that sustained efforts involving families, schools, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and government agencies were needed to raise awareness of morality and online safety.
He stressed that online sexual exploitation of children was now a critical threat that required a comprehensive response from all parties to protect children from becoming victims or perpetrators.
