Police arrest 21 men for child pornography and secretly filming private images

Superintendent of the Criminal Division of Kowloon East Region, Wong Yi-long, said that it was recently discovered that someone posted child pornography and secretly photographed photos and videos on online social platforms, including private tutors taking private photos of girls during classes and discussing them with other team members on the online platform. The police remind parents that when hiring a private tutor or coach, they can ask the other party to apply for a sexual conviction record check (see separate article).

Secretly photographed at the railway station shopping mall, the tutor was not detained

Chief Inspector So Chi-bing of the Second Team of the Kowloon East Regional Crime Unit said that after investigation, the identities of the members of the group involved were identified. Operation "Brave Suppression" was launched on Monday and Tuesday this week, and 21 local men (aged 19 to 47 years old) were arrested. 8 of them were suspected of possessing child pornography, and 13 were suspected of illegally filming private parts and publishing private images. It is understood that the arrested persons were reported to be students, real estate agents, clerks, computer technicians, construction workers, technicians, cleaners and salespersons, etc., but did not include the above-mentioned tutors suspected of being involved in the case. All arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation and are required to report to the police later this month.

The police seized 24 mobile phones, 3 tablets, 11 computers and 53 external storage devices, and found more than 7,200 child pornographic photos and more than 120 secretly filmed videos in some devices.

Trace the source and urge the platform to delete the group

Su Zhibing said that he would further test the relevant devices to understand whether special software was used to secretly take pictures, and trace the source of the images involved, including through Interpol's International Child Sexual Exploitation Database, and also investigate whether the arrested person was involved in other crimes. The police have contacted the relevant social platforms and requested that the relevant groups be blocked and removed.

Browsing "equivalent to an accomplice" abets secret photography or violates the law

Su Zhibing emphasized that in addition to the photographer, other people who join such candid photography-themed groups to browse and download related images are equivalent to accomplices. If they are involved in inciting or abetting candid filming or uploading clips, they may commit the crimes of incitement and assistance. According to the Prevention of Child Pornography Ordinance, anyone who possesses child pornography can be imprisoned for up to 5 years; anyone who produces or distributes child pornography can be imprisoned for up to 8 years. According to the Crimes Ordinance, anyone who illegally photographs private parts and publishes illegally photographed images may be imprisoned for up to 5 years.