Dark Web: Pakistan busts global child abuse ring operating from ‘gaming club’

Dubai: Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), in coordination with local police and global partners, has dismantled a disturbing international child exploitation network.

The syndicate, allegedly led by a German national, exploited children aged six to ten, producing and distributing abuse videos on the dark web. The gang was operating under the guise of a “gaming club” in Muzaffargarh, a remote town in Punjab.

Pakistan’s Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry shared the details in a press conference on Tuesday, alongside NCCIA Director General Dr Waqaruddin Syed. The operation, backed by intelligence from the US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), led to a five-hour raid and the rescue of 10 children, according to media reports.

German ringleader

Two suspects Muhammad Junaid and Muhammad Irfan were arrested, while four others remain at large. Among them is the alleged ringleader, German national Reinz Andreas, who arrived in Pakistan on April 7 and departed on April 28, staying at a hotel in Multan and the home of a local accomplice. He is believed to have trained locals, established the abuse set-up, and sold the videos for $100 to $500 each on the dark web.

Authorities revealed that the so-called gaming centre was fitted with studio-grade cameras and live-streaming equipment. Children, primarily from extremely poor families, were lured in with small amounts of money and later blackmailed into repeated abuse.

International operation

“This was not just a local crime, it was an organised international operation. The children were filmed in a studio-like environment, and content was sold globally via encrypted apps like WhatsApp and Telegram before appearing on the dark web,” Chaudhry revealed.

Investigators recovered hundreds of videos from the set-up, along with incriminating evidence on two mobile phones. Court proceedings have begun, and a local court granted 11-day physical remand for the arrested suspects.

The other fugitives including Adnan, Irfan, and Ismail have been declared proclaimed offenders by the court. Interpol and German authorities are assisting in efforts to apprehend Andreas abroad.

Parent involvement

According to NCCIA, more than 50 children have so far been identified as victims, with some parents reportedly complicit in the abuse. Six of the rescued children have been placed under the care of the Punjab Child Protection Bureau.

“This is a major breakthrough as the first time such a large organised international network has been exposed and disrupted in Pakistan,” said Dr Waqaruddin.

“We are working closely with Interpol and German law enforcement to ensure all those involved are brought to justice,” he added.

He explained that new amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) have increased punishment for child exploitation to 14—20 years in prison, with offences now deemed non-bailable and non-compoundable.

Child Protection Policy

In a parallel development, the Punjab cabinet has approved the province’s first-ever Child Protection Policy, aimed at ensuring a safe and just environment for all children. Developed by the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) with support from UNICEF Pakistan, the policy marks a transformative step toward ending abuse and exploitation.