International Police Operation Targets Online Child Sexual Exploitation Across Seven Regions

Apr 27, 2026, 12:17

Introduction

Hong Kong police, working with law enforcement agencies from six other Asian regions, carried out a joint operation called 'Operation Hurdler' to stop the production and distribution of child pornography.

Main Body

Between March and April, a coordinated effort involving Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Brunei led to the arrest of 326 people suspected of child pornography and other sex crimes. In Hong Kong, nine men aged 18 to 61 were arrested on April 14. Police seized eight mobile phones and 15 computers containing over 200 illegal images and videos. Investigators claimed that the suspects used torrent software, websites, and social media to find this material. The arrested individuals include unemployed people as well as professionals, such as a teacher and a social worker. One 28-year-old suspect was also charged with the indecent assault of a 12-year-old boy. Police reported that the suspect met the victim online before committing several assaults between 2023 and 2024. Acting Superintendent Tam Yik-wun emphasized that online 'grooming' is a major source of illegal content. Tam explained that offenders often force children to send private images, which are then used for blackmail. Furthermore, many children wrongly believe that 'view-once' messaging features keep their photos secure. Police psychologist Michael Fung asserted that the official numbers may be lower than the actual problem. He cited a joint study by several universities and the police, which found that 15% of respondents admitted to viewing child pornography. Fung observed that both boys and girls are vulnerable to online predators, and offenders come from many different social and educational backgrounds. To fight these global crimes, Hong Kong has joined the Interpol database, which connects 75 countries. Locally, police have increased patrols and advised parents to monitor their children's internet use. In Hong Kong, possessing child pornography can lead to five years in prison, while producing or distributing it can result in eight years.

Conclusion

This operation shows a growing trend toward sharing intelligence between countries to stop the international spread of child exploitation, while also highlighting the serious danger of online grooming.

Vocabulary Learning

arrested (v.)

to take someone into custody by law enforcement被逮捕

Example:Police arrested 326 people.

coordinated (adj.)

well-organised / arranged together to work as a whole協調的；有組織的

Example:The coordinated effort involved several countries.

indecent (adj.)

unpleasant or offensive in a sexual way不雅的；不體面

Example:He was charged with the indecent assault of a child.

seized (v.)

to take possession of something by force or authority扣押

Example:Police seized eight mobile phones.

vulnerable (adj.)

easily harmed or affected by something negative易受傷害的；脆弱的

Example:Both boys and girls are vulnerable to online predators.

Sentence Learning

Police seized eight mobile phones and 15 computers containing over 200 illegal images and videos.

Relative Clause: The clause 'containing over 200 illegal images and videos' adds descriptive detail about the computers and phones.關係子句: 這個子句『containing over 200 illegal images and videos』為前面的名詞 'computers' 與 'phones' 提供了額外的描述性資訊。

Tam explained that offenders often force children to send private images, which are then used for blackmail.

Passive Voice: The clause 'which are then used for blackmail' is in passive voice, showing that the images are the recipients of the action.被動語態: 子句『which are then used for blackmail』使用被動語態，表明圖片是行動的接受者。

In Hong Kong, possessing child pornography can lead to five years in prison, while producing or distributing it can result in eight years.

Contrast: The word 'while' introduces a contrast between two different legal consequences.對比連接詞: 『while』用來對比兩種不同的法律後果。

Police psychologist Michael Fung asserted that the official numbers may be lower than the actual problem.

Modal Verb: The modal 'may' expresses possibility or uncertainty about the numbers.情態動詞: 情態動詞『may』表示對官方數字是否較低的可能性或不確定性。

Investigators claimed that the suspects used torrent software, websites, and social media to find this material.

Infinitive Purpose: The infinitive 'to find' explains the purpose of using torrent software, websites, and social media.不定詞目的: 不定詞『to find』說明使用torrent軟件、網站和社交媒體的目的。