Germany Investigates 250 Suspects Over Online Child Abuse Material Network

German police have launched investigations into 250 suspects accused of sharing child sexual abuse material, following the discovery of extensive illegal content circulating across online messaging groups.

Authorities in Bavaria said the probe began after the analysis of a mobile phone seized in early 2022. The examination uncovered a file containing images and videos involving the sexual abuse of more than 1,500 minors.

According to police, the illegal material was widely shared through several messaging groups with large numbers of participants. Investigators have so far identified more than 300 individuals linked to the case, with formal criminal investigations opened against 250 of them.

Police said they reviewed more than 230,000 messages and over 80,000 file attachments during the investigation. At least 1,000 of the messages were found to contain content suggesting criminal offences.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to trace the origin and spread of the material and identify additional suspects.