Global Crackdown on AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material: Operation Cumberland Leads to 25 Arrests

Authorities Bust Massive AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Operation, Arrest 25

European authorities made 25 arrests this week in an ongoing takedown of a massive child sexual abuse operation peddling AI-generated content on the web. The criminal group of 273 known suspects creates and disseminates the images online in exchange for payment. "More arrests are expected in the coming weeks, as the operation is still ongoing," Europol says. The so-called Operation Cumberland, led by Danish law enforcement, searched 33 homes and seized 173 electronic devices. They arrested the main suspect in November 2024. He ran an online platform where he sold AI-generated content he produced to people around the world. "These artificially generated images are so easily created that they can be produced by individuals with criminal intent, even without substantial technical knowledge," says Catherine De Bolle, Europol's Executive Director. De Bolle says AI technology has contributed to an increase in child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and makes it "progressively more challenging for investigators to identify offenders or victims. She calls for law enforcement to develop new investigation methods and tools to address the growing threat. One reason Operation Cumberland is so noteworthy is that it was able to successfully take down a major operation despite these challenges. "Operation Cumberland has been one of the first cases involving AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM), making it exceptionally challenging for investigators, especially due to the lack of national legislation addressing these crimes," Europol says. The US is not one of the 19 nations that contributed to Operation Cumberland, but it is also struggling with AI-generated CSAM. Last year, the FBI issued a public service announcement to remind the public it is illegal. Yet enforcement seems incomplete; the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children says it received 4,700 reports concerning AI-generated CSAM last year. "Furthermore, users of the technology to create this material have used the argument that, 'At least I didn't hurt a real child' and 'It's not actually a child,'" the center added.

Europol arrests 25 users of online network accused of sharing AI CSAM

Europe is cracking down on AI-generated sex images of minors. So far, Europol has arrested 25 people in a large-scale ongoing probe called Operation Cumberland and confirmed that more arrests are expected in the coming weeks. In a press release, Europol said that the 24 arrests occurred simultaneously on February 26 after Danish law enforcement arrested a main suspect in November. That suspect is accused of running "an online platform where he distributed the AI-generated material he produced" for others willing to pay to "watch children being abused," Europol alleged. The network was hidden from casual lurkers and required a "symbolic payment" to access, Europol said. While fully AI-generated images may not depict real kids, at least one AI model (now scrubbed) has been trained on actual CSAM and images of real kids, so child safety experts fear outputs could potentially depict or resemble a known victim or actual child. And there's growing consensus globally that, in general, AI-generated CSAM harms kids by normalizing child sex abuse through the increased prevalence of CSAM online. Europol has now joined an increasing number of authorities insisting that AI-generated child sex abuse material (CSAM) is still CSAM. Police globally have warned that AI CSAM is flooding the Internet, and because the technology has rapidly advanced, it's much harder to distinguish between real child sex abuse victims and AI-generated images depicting abuse of fake kids. Further, Europol warned that AI CSAM is sometimes "being abused by offenders to produce CSAM and for sexual extortion." "Even in cases when the content is fully artificial and there is no real victim depicted, such as Operation Cumberland, AI-generated CSAM still contributes to the objectification and sexualization of children," Europol's press release said. In South Korea, where AI-generated deepfake porn has been criminalized, an "emergency" was declared and hundreds were arrested, mostly teens. But most countries don't yet have clear laws banning AI sex images of minors, and Europol cited this fact as a challenge for Operation Cumberland, which is a coordinated crackdown across 19 countries lacking clear guidelines. "Operation Cumberland has been one of the first cases involving AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM), making it exceptionally challenging for investigators, especially due to the lack of national legislation addressing these crimes," Europol said. European Union member states are currently mulling a rule proposed by the European Commission that could help law enforcement "tackle this new situation," Europol suggested. Catherine De Bolle, Europol's executive director, said police also "need to develop new investigative methods and tools" to combat AI-generated CSAM and "the growing prevalence" of CSAM overall. For Europol, deterrence is critical to support efforts in many EU member states to identify child sex abuse victims. The agency plans to continue to arrest anyone discovered producing, sharing, and/or distributing AI CSAM while also launching an online campaign to raise awareness that doing so is illegal in the EU. That campaign will highlight the "consequences of using AI for illegal purposes," Europol said, by using "online messages to reach buyers of illegal content" on social media and payment platforms. Additionally, the agency will apparently go door-to-door and issue warning letters to suspects identified through Operation Cumberland or any future probe. It's unclear how many more arrests could be on the horizon in the EU, but Europol disclosed that 273 users of the Danish suspect's online network were identified, 33 houses were searched, and 173 electronic devices have been seized.

Police arrests suspects tied to AI-generated CSAM distribution ring

Law enforcement agencies from 19 countries have arrested 25 suspects linked to a criminal ring that was distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) generated using artificial intelligence (AI). Operation Cumberland, coordinated by Danish law enforcement and supported by Europol, resulted in the seizure of 173 electronic devices and the identification of 273 suspected members tied to the criminal network. Most individuals arrested during this joint action were apprehended on February 26, 2025, following 33 house searches around the world. In November 2024, authorities arrested the main suspect, a Danish national, for distributing AI-generated content created through an online platform. Those who wanted to use the suspects' service could obtain a password to access the platform after making a symbolic online payment to watch AI-generated content featuring children being abused. "These artificially generated images are so easily created that they can be produced by individuals with criminal intent, even without substantial technical knowledge," said Catherine De Bolle, Europol's Executive Director. "This contributes to the growing prevalence of child sexual abuse material, and as the volume increases, it becomes progressively more challenging for investigators to identify offenders or victims." Europol has established and led the Stop Child Abuse - Trace An Object initiative since 2017, enabling people to provide information that can help cases of child sexual abuse by recognizing objects linked to the investigations. The initiative helped identify 30 victims until November 2023, allowing law enforcement agents to arrest six offenders, who were prosecuted based on information provided by almost 28,000 tips. Australian Federal Police also launched its own version of the Stop Child Abuse initiative in March 2021, focusing on the Asia Pacific region. "Europol and its partners will launch an online campaign in the coming days highlighting the consequences of using AI for illegal purposes and targeting potential offenders where they are most active: online," Europol added on Friday. "The campaign will use online messages to reach buyers of illegal content, as well as other methods such as knock-and-talks, social media messages and warning letters." This week, Microsoft also named multiple threat actors linked to a global cybercrime gang (tracked as Storm-2139), who are accused of creating malicious tools designed to bypass generative AI guardrails to generate illicit content including celebrity deepfakes.

25 arrested in global operation targeting AI-generated child sexual abuse content, Europol says

The Hague -- A global campaign has led to at least 25 arrests over child sexual abuse content generated by artificial intelligence and distributed online, Europol said Friday. "Operation Cumberland has been one of the first cases involving AI-generated child sexual abuse material, making it exceptionally challenging for investigators due to the lack of national legislation addressing these crimes," the Hague-based European police agency said in a statement. The majority of the arrests were made Wednesday during the world-wide operation led by the Danish police, and which also involved law enforcement agencies from the EU, Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand. U.S. law enforcement agencies did not take part in the operation, according to Europol. It followed the arrest last November of the main suspect in the case, a Danish national who ran an online platform where he distributed the AI material he produced. After a "symbolic online payment, users from around the world were able to obtain a password to access the platform and watch children being abused," Europol said. Online child sexual exploitation remains one of the most threatening manifestations of cybercrime in the European Union, the agency warned. It "continues to be one of the top priorities for law enforcement agencies, which are dealing with an ever-growing volume of illegal content," it said, adding that more arrests were expected as the investigation continued. While Europol said Operation Cumberland targeted a platform and people sharing content fully created using AI, there has also been a worrying proliferation of AI-manipulated "deepfake" imagery online, which often uses images of real people, including children, and can have devastating impacts on their lives. According to a report by CBS News' Jim Axelrod in December that focused on one girl who had been targeted for such abuse by a classmate, there were more than 21,000 deepfake pornographic pictures or videos online during 2023, an increase of more than 460% over the year prior. The manipulated content has proliferated on the internet as lawmakers in the U.S. and elsewhere race to catch up with new legislation to address the problem. Just weeks ago the Senate passed a bipartisan bill called the "TAKE IT DOWN Act" that, if signed into law, would criminalize the "publication of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), including AI-generated NCII (or "deepfake revenge pornography"), and requires social media and similar websites to implement procedures to remove such content within 48 hours of notice from a victim," according to a description on the U.S. Senate website. As it stands, some social media platforms have appeared unable or unwilling to crackdown on the spread of sexualized, AI-generated deepfake content, including fake images depicting celebrities. In mid-February, Facebook and Instagram owner Meta said it had removed over a dozen fraudulent sexualized images of famous female actors and athletes after a CBS News investigation found a high prevalence of AI-manipulated deepfake images on Facebook. "This is an industry-wide challenge, and we're continually working to improve our detection and enforcement technology," Meta spokesperson Erin Logan told CBS News in a statement sent by email at the time.

AI-generated child abuse global hit leads to dozens of arrests

Arrests were made simultaneously on Wednesday 26 February during Operation Cumberland, led by Danish law enforcement, a press release said. Authorities from at least 18 other countries have been involved and the operation is still continuing, with more arrests expected in the next few weeks, Europol said. In addition to the arrests, so far 272 suspects have been identified, 33 house searches have been conducted and 173 electronic devices have been seized, according to the agency. It also said the main suspect was a Danish national who was arrested in November 2024. The statement said he "ran an online platform where he distributed the AI-generated material he produced". After making a "symbolic online payment", users from around the world were able to get a password that allowed them to "access the platform and watch children being abused". The agency said online child sexual exploitation was one of the top priorities for the European Union's law enforcement organisations, which were dealing with "an ever-growing volume of illegal content". Europol added that even in cases when the content was fully artificial and there was no real victim depicted, such as with Operation Cumberland, "AI-generated CSAM still contributes to the objectification and sexualisation of children". Europol's executive director Catherine De Bolle said: "These artificially generated images are so easily created that they can be produced by individuals with criminal intent, even without substantial technical knowledge." She warned law enforcement would need to develop "new investigative methods and tools" to address the emerging challenges. The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) warns that more sexual abuse AI images of children are being produced and becoming more prevalent on the open web. In research last year the charity found that over a one-month period, 3,512 AI child sexual abuse and exploitation images were discovered on one dark website. Compared with a month in the previous year, the number of the most severe category images (Category A) had risen by 10%. Experts say AI child sexual abuse material can often look incredibly realistic, making it difficult to tell the real from the fake.

EU launches global sting operation against AI-generated child sexual abuse material

LONDON -- Europol, the law enforcement agency of the European Union, has conducted a "large-scale hit against child sexual exploitation" whose members are part of a criminal group engaging in the distribution of images of minors fully generated by artificial intelligence, authorities said. With support from 19 countries in Europe, a total of 25 arrests were made worldwide in the operation -- named Operation Cumberland -- that was led by Danish law enforcement and carried out simultaneously on Wednesday, according to Europol. In total, 273 suspects were identified, 25 arrests were made and 33 house searches were conducted, Europol said. "The main suspect, a Danish national who was arrested in November 2024, ran an online platform where he distributed the AI-generated material he produced," officials said. "Following a symbolic online payment, users from around the world were able to obtain a password to access the platform and watch children being abused." Operation Cumberland has been "one of the first cases involving AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM), making it exceptionally challenging for investigators, especially due to the lack of national legislation addressing these crimes," Europol said. "In this regard, EU Member States are currently discussing a common regulation proposed by the European Commission to tackle this new situation and protect children from being sexually abused and exploited." More arrests are expected in the coming weeks in the ongoing operation. "These artificially generated images are so easily created that they can be produced by individuals with criminal intent, even without substantial technical knowledge," said Catherine De Bolle, Europol's executive director. "This contributes to the growing prevalence of child sexual abuse material, and as the volume increases, it becomes progressively more challenging for investigators to identify offenders or victims. Law enforcement will need to develop new investigative methods and tools to address these emerging challenges." Online child sexual exploitation remains one of the most threatening manifestations of cybercrime in the European Union and continues to be one of the top priorities for law enforcement agencies, which are dealing with an ever-growing volume of illegal content, Europol said. "Self-generated child sexual material constitutes a significant share of the CSAM that is detected. AI models able to generate or alter images are being abused by offenders to produce CSAM and for sexual extorsion. Such models are widely available and have developed quickly, with output that now increasingly resembles genuine material, making it harder to identify as artificially generated," Europol said. "This poses significant challenges to authorities in identifying the real victims. Even in cases when the content is fully artificial and there is no real victim depicted, such as Operation Cumberland, AI-generated CSAM still contributes to the objectification and sexualisation of children," officials continued. Europol said that it, along with its partners, will be launching an online campaign in the coming days highlighting the consequences of using AI for illegal purposes and targeting potential offenders where they are most active: online. The campaign will use online messages to reach buyers of illegal content, as well as other methods such as knock-and-talks, social media messages and warning letters. "Operation Cumberland demonstrates an ongoing coordinated effort by law enforcement to tackle this threat comprehensively, from arresting criminals to preventing future crimes through education, deterrence and providing support to those who want to seek support or help," Europol said.

Dozens arrested worldwide over AI-generated child sexual abuse images

The main suspect, a Danish national, is thought to have run an online platform whereby users could pay for an account that would grant them access to AI-generated images and video of children being abused. Dozens of people have been arrested over their suspected involvement in the distribution of AI-generated images and video of child sexual abuse. Most of the 25 suspects - who are believed to be part of a criminal group - were arrested in simultaneous operations this week, Europol said on Friday. The main suspect, a Danish national arrested in November, is thought to have run an online platform, where he distributed the AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Users could pay for an account that would grant them access to it. So far the probe, which is codenamed Operation Cumberland and led by Danish law enforcement, has resulted in 273 suspects being identified in 19 countries, 33 houses being searched, and 173 items seized. Europol and the Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce (J-CAT) are helping to coordinate the global investigation, with further arrests expected in the coming weeks. Some of the countries involved in the operation include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Spain and New Zealand. Forces in the UK include the Metropolitan Police, Kent Police, West Mercia Police, Northamptonshire Police, Essex Police, Police Scotland, Hertfordshire Constabulary and Lincolnshire Police. Europol said: "Self-generated child sexual material constitutes a significant share of the CSAM that is detected. "AI models able to generate or alter images are being abused by offenders to produce CSAM and for sexual extorsion. "Such models are widely available and have developed quickly, with output that now increasingly resembles genuine material, making it harder to identify as artificially generated. "This poses significant challenges to authorities in identifying the real victims. "Even in cases when the content is fully artificial and there is no real victim depicted... AI-generated CSAM still contributes to the objectification and sexualisation of children." Read more from Sky News Teen who faked grooming scandal named real abusers Student who died in e-bike crash was 'life and soul' UK making AI-generated abuse imagery illegal Operation Cumberland comes amid plans by the UK government to close the legal loophole on AI-generated CSAM. New legislation will create specific offences against: * Possessing, creating or distributing AI tools designed to generate CSAM, punishable by up to five years in prison * Possessing AI "paedophile manuals" that teach people how to use AI to sexually abuse children, punishable by up to three years in prison Jess Phillips, the safeguarding minister, said Britain is the "first country in the world" to legislate for AI abuse imagery. She said: "This is a global problem and is going to need global solutions. This government is leading the way on trying to clamp down on this horrendous crime."

Two dozen arrested for distributing AI-generated child abuse images

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Two dozen people were arrested this week for their role in a criminal group that distributed images generated by artificial intelligence of children being sexually abused, Europol said on Friday. The operation is one of the first involving AI-generated child abuse material, Europol said, adding there was a lack of national legislation surrounding the use of AI tools for this purpose. The main suspect, a Danish national, ran an online platform where he distributed the AI-generated material he produced. Users around the world paid a "symbolic online payment" to access the platform. The operation is ongoing, with authorities from 19 countries involved. Most of the 25 arrests were carried out simultaneously on Wednesday in the operation led by Danish authorities, with more expected in the coming weeks, according to Europol. (Reporting by Makini Brice; Editing by Ros Russell)

Two dozen arrested for distributing AI-generated child abuse images

AMSTERDAM, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Two dozen people were arrested this week for their role in a criminal group that distributed images generated by artificial intelligence of children being sexually abused, Europol said on Friday. The operation is one of the first involving AI-generated child abuse material, Europol said, adding there was a lack of national legislation surrounding the use of AI tools for this purpose. The main suspect, a Danish national, ran an online platform where he distributed the AI-generated material he produced. Users around the world paid a "symbolic online payment" to access the platform. The operation is ongoing, with authorities from 19 countries involved. Most of the 25 arrests were carried out simultaneously on Wednesday in the operation led by Danish authorities, with more expected in the coming weeks, according to Europol. Reporting by Makini Brice Editing by Ros Russell Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab Suggested Topics:EuropePublic Health

Europol arrests two dozen over AI-generated child abuse images

In a breakthrough operation, two dozen individuals have been arrested in connection with the distribution of AI-generated child abuse images, a crime that highlights the dark side of artificial intelligence (via Reuters). The international sting, led by authorities in Denmark, saw coordinated raids across 19 countries. The main suspect, a Danish national, ran a platform where he sold access to the disturbing material, produced with artificial intelligence. Authorities warned of the legal grey area surrounding AI's use in creating such images, with many nations lacking specific legislation to address it. As the operation continues, more arrests are expected in the coming weeks.