ICE announces major update to global online child sexual exploitation operation

WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in coordination with our international partners, announced a major update to the results of Operation Renewed Hope III, a global crackdown led by the Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Crimes Center to identify victims of online child sexual exploitation and abuse, June 24.

HSI is a global leader in the fight against child exploitation. As technology evolves and more people have access to the internet, children are at a greater risk than ever. HSI’s special agents and analysts around the world are dedicated to countering this threat and partnering with international law enforcement agencies to protect children from exploitation and to investigate and arrest predators.

Since the initial results were released in March of this year, ICE Homeland Security Investigations has positively identified more than 150 additional child victims of online sexual exploitation and abuse, bringing the total number of victims identified across all three phases of Operation Renewed Hope to more than 450 children worldwide; a staggering increase that highlights both the global scale of this crime and the unwavering commitment of investigators to protect children and bring predators to justice.

ORH III, conducted from Feb. 24 through March 7, builds on the success of the first two phases of the initiative which previously led to the identification and rescue of over 300 exploited children. With this third iteration, the cumulative victim count now surpasses 450, a chilling yet vital reminder of the scope the ongoing threat of online sexual exploitation poses to children.

Led by ICE HSI, in collaboration with global law enforcement partners, ORH III continues to generate actionable intelligence and lead driven investigations. To date, the operation has produced over 400 investigative leads, more than 230 domestic and over 165 foreign.

During the operational window alone, analysts processed over 83,000 digital files, totaling 216 gigabytes of data which equates to more than 115 hours of streamed video content.

“Each file is a potential indicator of abuse and each frame a critical clue in the fight to save children,” said ICE HSI Cyber and Operational Technology Assistant Director Sean Fitzgerald. “Every victim identified is reflective of a life that can begin to heal, which is why our agents and analysts remain essential to the rescue of victims and the global pursuit of predators.”

Further investigations remain ongoing as law enforcement agencies continue to analyze materials and pursue the remaining leads developed through the operation.

ICE HSI is the global leader in the investigation of online child sexual exploitation and abuse and in fiscal year 2024, its efforts resulted in the identification and/or rescue of 1,783 child victims in child exploitation investigations, supported 6,939 new child exploitation investigations and the arrest of 4,959 individuals for crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children.

If you suspect a child has been abducted or faces imminent danger, dial 911 or contact your local police.

Members of the public who suspect a child might be a victim of exploitation are urged to call the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE, the Know2Protect Tipline at 1-833-591-KNOW (5669), or visit the NCMEC CyberTipline.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)