NSW Cybercrime Squad Charges Two Over Crypto Abuse

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The New South Wales Cybercrime Squad has charged two men as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged use of cryptocurrency to access and distribute child abuse material online.

The investigation, named Strike Force Angle, targets individuals believed to be involved in using digital currencies for illegal online activity, including child exploitation.

Around 5:50 am on Thursday, 31 July 2025, detectives from the Cybercrime Squad executed a search warrant at a residence in Woy Woy, on the New South Wales Central Coast.

During the search, police reportedly seized multiple electronic devices, including a mobile phone, tablet, and USB hard drive. On-site forensic examination allegedly uncovered hundreds of images and videos depicting child abuse material on the devices.

Officers also located several images believed to involve bestiality and seized a small amount of cannabis from the scene.

A 45-year-old man was arrested and taken to Gosford Police Station, where he was charged with:

• Three counts relating to possession and use of child abuse material via a carriage service
  
• Possession of bestiality material
  
• Possession of a prohibited plant (small quantity)
  

The man was refused bail before appearing at Bail Division Court 6 on Friday, 1 August 2025, where he was granted conditional bail. He is scheduled to appear at Wyong Local Court on Tuesday, 30 September 2025.

In a separate operation linked to the same strike force, detectives executed two search warrants on Wednesday, 14 May 2025, at addresses in Bogabri and Calala, near Tamworth.

Police seized a desktop computer and a mobile phone, which were later found to contain child abuse material. Further investigations, supported by international law enforcement agencies, uncovered evidence of three cryptocurrency transactions allegedly made by a 21-year-old man on a website known for distributing child abuse content.

On Wednesday, 6 August 2025, the 21-year-old man was arrested at Tamworth Police Station. He was charged with three counts of accessing child abuse material using a carriage service. He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear in Tamworth Local Court on Monday, 1 September 2025.

The investigation by Strike Force Angle is ongoing.