Thirty-Six Men Charged in Sweeping Ontario Child Luring Investigation

ONTARIO-Thirty-six men, aged 18 to 73, have been arrested and charged with a combined total of 128 criminal offences during a proactive child sexual exploitation investigation conducted under the Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Strategy.

According to the Ontario Provincial Police [OPP], which announced these recently, from March 31 to April 11, 2025, 21 police services joined forces in an intensive luring operation, posing as children in chatrooms and on social media platforms. The goal was to identify, locate, and arrest offenders who sought to sexually exploit minors.

While the majority of arrests stemmed from undercover contacts, police identified nine real child victims during the operation. All nine have been located, are now safe, and have been provided with ongoing support.

Project investigators revealed that some suspects arrived at arranged meeting spots with disturbing preparations, one with snacks intended for a child, another with sexual paraphernalia including lubricant and condoms. One of the accused was already listed on the National Sex Offender Registry, underscoring the dangers posed by repeat offenders.

In addition to the arrests, 51 ongoing investigations remain active, and police stress that this operation has only scratched the surface of a growing problem.

“These results highlight a sobering reality: predators can easily reach children in online spaces,” said OPP Detective Staff Sergeant Tim Brown. “We urge parents and guardians to remain vigilant and to talk to your children about staying safe online. Just as you wouldn’t leave your child alone in a city, don’t let them navigate the online world alone.”

Deputy Commissioner Marty Kearns praised the coordinated effort: “We commend the outstanding efforts of our Provincial Strategy members from across the province whose dedication led to the success of this investigation and the protection of vulnerable children. Their tireless work is a testament to our unwavering commitment to safeguarding youth from online predators.”

The Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Strategy, a joint initiative involving the Ontario Provincial Police, 26 municipal police services, and government partners, was created to combat the surge of online child sexual exploitation and abuse material. Police note that reports of such crimes have increased significantly in recent years, making vigilance and prevention more important than ever.

A complete list of arrested individuals, their hometowns, and charges is included in the official release (ADDENDUM – LURING PROJECT). Some names cannot be disclosed due to court-ordered publication bans.

For resources on how to keep children safe online, the public is urged to visit the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.