Targeted investigations at a national level by the Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate, within the framework of an operation codenamed "Zeppelin", to combat child pornography
Online searches identified significant cases of internet users who possessed and were able to share numerous files (images and videos) containing extremely harsh child pornography material
Searches were carried out at the homes of those involved, during which a total of (19) hard drives, a portable storage device (USB stick) and a laptop computer
The Hellenic Police's Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate, as part of its actions to address the phenomenon of child pornography via the internet, has recently conducted targeted investigations nationwide, within the framework of an operation codenamed "Zeppelin".
In particular, officers of the Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate conducted online police investigations, through the special CPS (Child Protection System) software program, which aimed to identify cases of exchange of marked child pornography files.
The result of targeted online investigations was to identify particularly significant cases of criminal behavior by internet users, with the main criterion being the number and type of files observed to be circulating on the various file sharing networks.
Specifically, it was verified that internet users, within the Greek territory, using one hundred and ninety-nine (199) different IP addresses, belonging to various service providers, possessed and were suitable for sharing files (images and videos) containing extremely harsh child pornography material.
The data and results of the investigations were brought to the attention of the Athens First Instance Prosecutor's Office and a Resolution of the Athens Misdemeanor Courts Council was issued, according to which the confidentiality of communications was ordered to be lifted.
As part of the ongoing online police investigation, the involvement of five (5) users - owners of internet connections and residents in various areas of Attica and Thessaloniki was digitally identified.
More specifically, for these cases:
– In collaboration and with the assistance of police officers from the Thessaloniki Security Directorate, a search was carried out at the home of a Cypriot national in Thessaloniki, where five (5) hard drives were found and seized.
– Also, house searches were conducted in areas of Attica, specifically:
- at the home of a 48-year-old Greek national in Agioi Anargyri, where a laptop was found and seized,
- in the home of a 37-year-old Greek national in Korydallos, nothing relevant to the case was found, while the possible involvement of third parties is being investigated in this case,
- in the home of a 39-year-old Greek national in Holargos, eleven (11) hard drives and one (1) portable storage device (USB stick) were found and seized and
- In the home of a 43-year-old Greek citizen in Athens, three (3) hard drives were found and seized.
In the latter case, the 43-year-old was arrested in the context of the immediate proceedings and brought before the Athens Criminal Court Prosecutor, while for the remaining parties involved, the case files that were drawn up were submitted to the competent Prosecution Authorities.
The seized evidence will be sent to forensic laboratories for the necessary laboratory analyses.
It is reminded that citizens can contact the Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate at the following contact details:
- By phone at 210-6476464 and 210-6476461
- By sending an e-mail to 11012@hellenicpolice.gr & ccu@cybercrimeunit.gov.gr.
