Thaindian News

London, Feb 15 (ANI): The search of a missing schoolgirl’s laptop in UK has helped catch 240 online predators, and also spark a major child abuse operation.

It had begun as a simple missing person’s inquiry, but ended with arrests being made in 15 different countries.

Police, who were investigating the 13-year-old’s disappearance, found she received 76 e-mails with sexual content from men in the course of just one month.

She was traced within hours, but her laptop held the key to tracking down hundreds of offenders.

Central Scotland Police, who launched Operation Defender in May 2009, said arrests continue to be made every week.

“The sexual chat ran into the thousands. We then had to establish if the person knew the girl was under age and focus on those who met her or made attempts to meet her,” the Scotsman quoted Detective Inspector Charlie Mitchell as saying.

“We are still getting offenders arrested by other forces on a weekly basis,” he added.

Graphic pictures and webcam footage were found on the laptop belonging to the girl, who was encouraged to pose naked by predators.

They used a combination of e-mail, instant messaging and chat applications to engage with her and other youngsters. (ANI)