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Researchers Use Computer-Generated 10-Year-Old Girl To Catch Online Predators

Posted by Soulskill on from the trawling-the-dark-corners-of-the-internet dept.

mrspoonsi writes "Dutch researchers conducted a 10-week sting, using a life-like, computer-generated 10-year-old Filipino girl named 'Sweetie.' During this time, 20,000 men contacted her. 1,000 of these men offered money to remove clothing (254 were from the U.S., 110 from the U.K. and 103 from India). Charity organization Terre des Hommes launched a global campaign to stop 'webcam sex tourism.' It has 'handed over its findings to police and has said it will provide authorities with the technology it has developed."

2 of 545 comments (clear)

  1. Re:profile = evidence? by BitterOak · · Score: 5, Informative

    What are they charged with? "Molesting under age pixels"?

    In many countries, including the U.S., it is unlawful to attempt to solicit sex or sexual activity from a minor, and it is not a defense if the target is in actuality not a minor, as long as the accused believes him or her to be such. Since it is impossible to prove a belief, a reasonable person test is usually employed: would a reasonable person, under those circumstances, believe they are communicating with a minor. This is how adult police, masquerading as children online, are able to conduct sting operations against potential predators. In this case, they merely substitute computers for police.

    --
    If I can be modded down for being a troll, can I be modded up for being an orc, or a balrog?
  2. Re: profile = evidence? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Your information is true, but incomplete and misleading.

    Immediately after that Supreme Court ruling, the lawmakers rushed through a new law (worded a bit differently) making it all illegal again. And the new law was never challenged and still exists.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PROTECT_Act_of_2003