Operation Elm

Operation Elm is the codename of an investigation spearheaded by British law enforcement into a website that served as a hub for the dissemination of images of child sexual abuse. Among the thousands of suspects being investigated, one has already been identified as a "kingpin" of the ring: 27-year-old Philip Thompson of England, who plead guilty on August 18, 2008, to administering the website.¹

Fast Facts

1. Website was camouflaged as a legal site¹
2. Only accessible by word-of-mouth¹
3. Described as file sharing and social networking site for pedophiles¹
4. Investigation has identified and rescued 15 British children
5. About 360 suspects identified¹

Categories