Feb 27 • 23:11 UTC 🇦🇷 Argentina Clarin (ES)

A man who extorted and harassed minors from three Argentine provinces was caught in Panama

A Panamanian citizen was arrested in his home country for extorting and harassing Argentine minors via social media.

A chilean man was arrested in Panama, accused of committing sexual offenses against underage Argentine minors after contacting them online and soliciting sexual content. The investigation, dubbed "Operation International Córdoba," was led by the Public Prosecutor's Office in La Carlota, Córdoba, with the support of judicial and police agencies from both Argentina and Panama. This case highlights the cross-border nature of cybercrime, especially involving minors, and the cooperation required between countries to tackle it.

The case originated from a report made to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), which alerted authorities about suspicious activities involving minors in a southern Córdoba locality. Following this tip-off, prosecutor Romina Wisnivetzk and her team meticulously traced the suspect's digital interactions, revealing a troubling pattern across multiple cases. The accused posed as an adult, initiated contact with minors through social media, and coerced them into sending explicit images under threat of exposure.

This arrest not only underscores the risks minors face in online interactions but also demonstrates the essential role of international cooperation in combating child exploitation. As investigations like these gain prominence, it stresses the importance of preventative educational measures for children and guardians regarding safe online practices and reporting mechanisms for suspicious activities.

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