More than 58,500 reports of online child abuse were logged with the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) in the financial year 2023-24. That works out to be around 160 each day. And that’s only what gets reported.

This week is National Child Protection Week. It’s a reminder of how we work hard with partner agencies like the ACCCE and law enforcement to detect child abuse and stop those responsible. 

In a recent case, we identified suspicious financial transactions that led to the creator of an online game simulating child sexual abuse. He had thousands of paying subscribers, making close to $1 million over three years. When police raided his home, they found hundreds of files of material involving real children being abused. The man pleaded guilty to 7 charges relating to child abuse material offences and one of money laundering. 

Earlier this year, he was sentenced to nearly 12 years in jail and had his assets seized.  

We also identified domestic and international people linked to this game who have since been referred to the relevant authorities. 

Working with industry 

Financial service providers such as banks, payment platforms and digital currency exchanges can help stop these crimes. 

“They’re well placed to spot suspicious transactions and alert us,” says Dr John Moss, Deputy CEO Intelligence. 

“There are certain indicators of payments by offenders to victims or people facilitating the abuse,” he said. 

“For example, most transfers are low value, under AUD $500. And offenders may try to cover these up with descriptions like ‘accommodation’, ‘uniform’ or ‘medical bills’. 

“On its own, this may seem innocent. But if you observe other activity, like the customer buying spyware apps, video-capturing software, or tickets to a high-risk country, that should raise red flags. 

“We encourage you to monitor such activity and submit a suspicious matter report to AUSTRAC.” 

“Your action could protect a child from abuse and exploitation.” 

How can I help prevent crimes like this

Read our financial crime guide on the sexual exploitation of children. Use it to review your profiling and transaction monitoring programs to identify and stop financial transactions associated with child sexual exploitation. 

If you identify possible child sexual exploitation, abuse or other criminal activity through financial transactions, you must submit a suspicious matter report. Include clear transactional, behavioural and non-financial indicators in your report. This will help us and our law enforcement partners respond and take action.

Related links

For more information, visit the National Child Protection Week 2025 page.