An Indian man allegedly sexually abused, groomed and intimidated an 11-year-old Australian girl on social media over several years, causing her “severe trauma”.
The man from Indore, Madhya Pradesh in central India, is accused of grooming the West Australian girl on Instagram and WhatsApp as well as sextortion and other online offences.
“This abuse continued over several years and caused severe trauma to the girl,” police said.
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In 2023, WA authorities were notified of an alleged incident involving the man and the child in 2020 and began an investigation.
Child Exploitation Operations detectives learned the alleged offender lived in India.
Detectives then worked with the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children and Indian authorities to find him.
India’s Central Bureau of Investigation tracked the alleged offender down and arrested and charged him in relation to criminal intimidation, transmitting of material depicting children in a sexually explicit act, and sexual harassment upon a child with sexual intent.
Investigators searched his home and allegedly seized incriminating materials.
It is understood the matter is currently going through the Indian court system.