Popular online games are a mode of sexual predators looking for their prey. Not only in Indonesia, there are also several similar cases abroad.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), recently launched a campaign. They warn parents about their children's interactions while playing online games.
Chris Travis, US FBI Intelligence Analyst, notices the similarities between sexual predators. Perpetrators use several popular online game titles to find their victims.
Most recently, the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police Headquarters revealed that there were cases of sexual predators with the mode of looking for victims from popular online games in Indonesia. Abroad, similar things have happened.
As we have gathered information from various sources, there have been three popular online games where sexual predators were at work.
Various Cases of Sexual Predators Through Online Games
1. Roblox
An 11-year-old boy in Somerset, England, has been targeted by a sex predator in a game developed by the Roblox Corporation. The culprit contacted him via the online chat feature, which is available in the game.
It is known, he threatened the child to send a sexual video. By threatening that their family will be harmed if they do not comply with the perpetrator's request.
Then there is also an Australian mother, Peggy, expressing her horror, towards her beloved six-year-old daughter. Where being invited to a sex room on Roblox, shows a group of avatars or players engaging in an explicit sex act.
"Fortunately she had absolutely no idea what she was seeing," Peggy told Somerset Live.
2. Among Us
Among Us is also a game used by sexual predators to find prey. This was realized, when Julie Gower from England, found her daughter playing Among Us, was sent an explicit message in the game. The chronology, when his daughter was 14 years old, was playing with friends and new players came to join.
Shortly after chatting normally, the player sent a link to an obscene video, which showed child sexual abuse.
"Then the guy started asking the girls what they thought about it. Then they immediately blocked and my daughter came to tell me," Julie told The Sun.
Julie said that even though she had reported it through the game, the perpetrator could still act. By creating a new account and then looking for another target.
3. Fortnite
Anthony Gene Thomas of Broward County, a 41-year-old man from Florida, USA, is accused of using the popular battle royale game, Fortnite, to engage in sexual activity with children. He was accused of having sex with a minor.
Apart from that, it also has indecent pictures and videos of at least one victim. According to information from the authorities, there was an accomplice who brought the children together with Thomas.
The perpetrator carried out the action through the voice chat feature in Fortnite. Where it is known there are at least up to 20 people become victims.
"This case is troubling not only because it involves child pornography, but also because online games are popular as an attempt to communicate with victims," said Ashley Moody, Florida Attorney General in a statement.
