He was just 22 years old, living in a quiet neighborhood in Northeastern Thailand. To most, he likely looked like any other young man. But behind a network of private chat groups, he was allegedly managing channels used to distribute suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM) for profit.
His setup was alarmingly calculated. Investigators discovered he was managing 20 private chat groups, each requiring payment to join. The material allegedly being shared was images and videos of children being sexually abused, and while no survivors have been identified yet, a forensic review is currently underway. As in many digital cases like this, uncovering survivors often happens later, when hidden files, online aliases, and investigators locate places and people involved.
This case was brought to the attention of Thailand’s Internet Crimes Against Children (TICAC) Task Force, who reached out to Our Rescue’s team in Thailand in June. Within two days, our team was on the ground.
Four of our team members provided critical operational support:
- Conducting field observations and reporting on the suspect’s location
- Helping to verify the suspect’s identity
- Preparing for a coordinated search with our ESD K9, Winner
ESD (Electronic Storage Detection) K9s play a vital role in cases involving CSAM. Traffickers often hide electronics that store evidence of their crimes in places traditional search methods can miss. K9 Winner is trained to detect the unique chemical compounds found in memory cards, USBs, and other devices.
On the morning of July 3, the operation launched. At 6:47 AM, TICAC officers arrested the suspect. Our team was on-site to support the search, and that’s when Winner alerted police to a small device, hidden behind a headboard. It’s now in the hands of forensic investigators.
The entire operation lasted just under an hour, but its impact may be far-reaching.
- The suspect is in custody
- Multiple electronic devices were seized
- The material is undergoing analysis
- Law enforcement continues to search for any identified survivors
This case is a powerful reminder that trafficking doesn’t always involve physical movement across borders. Increasingly, it happens through screens, usernames, payment links, and private chats. But with skilled investigators, trained detection dogs, and close collaboration, these hidden crimes are being brought to light.
We’re grateful to TICAC for leading this case and proud to stand beside them.