A 55-year-old French man has been arrested and charged in France for allegedly commissioning livestreamed sexual abuse of children in Colombia. The Paris prosecutor’s office announced that the suspect faces multiple charges, including complicity in human trafficking of minors under 15, rape and sexual assault of minors—including incestuous acts—and possession of child pornography.
Authorities stated that the suspect had transferred more than €30,000 (around $35,000) to individuals in Colombia in exchange for videos showing young children being sexually abused. These acts were carried out in real-time and watched live by the suspect, a method commonly referred to as “livestreaming” in online pedophile crime networks. In many of these cases, the children’s own relatives are complicit, receiving money in exchange for participating in or allowing the abuse.
The suspect’s arrest was part of a coordinated international operation with Colombian law enforcement. Authorities reported that, along with the French citizen, local abusers and middlemen—often called “money runners”—were also arrested. Several victims were identified and placed in protective custody.
A search of the suspect’s residence in France uncovered weapons in addition to evidence related to the child abuse crimes. The man has been remanded in custody while investigations continue.
The Paris prosecutor’s office described online child abuse livestreaming as a growing and deeply troubling form of exploitation, where perpetrators evade borders by directing crimes from overseas. French and Colombian authorities emphasized the need for international cooperation in dismantling such networks and protecting vulnerable children.
This case is among a rising number of cross-border child exploitation incidents uncovered by law enforcement in recent years. Officials urge vigilance and continued collaboration to combat this form of modern digital trafficking.
