Sex Crimes Squad detectives have charged a man for allegedly attempting to groom a child online under Strike Force Trawler.
Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.
In October 2026, strike force detectives commenced an investigation into the online activities of a 68-year-old man on the state’s South Coast.
About 8.45am yesterday (Tuesday 20 October 2026) strike force detectives arrested a 68-year-old man in Moruya.
At the same time, a search warrant was executed at a property in Congo where police seized a number of items.
The man was taken to Batemans Bay Police Station where he was charged with use carriage service groom under 16 procure for sender and incite sexual intercourse with child under 10 years.
The 68-year-old was refused bail to appear at Bail Division Local Court 3 today (Wednesday 21 October 2026).
Anyone with information that may assist investigations into the online grooming of children is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
