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Norway man posed as girl on Facebook to exploit 60 boys

Police believe a man in his 20s from Tromsø used the internet to sexually exploit around 60 children. He is also charged with the physical sexual abuse of several children.

Norway man posed as girl on Facebook to exploit 60 boys
Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / SCANPIX .
According to police, most of the abuse occurred  between 2014 and 2016 and targeted victims who were between the ages of 12 and 15 at the time. Most of the children were from the Tromsø area but police are also investigating possible attacks on victims in other parts of Norway. 
 
“Up until now, we have spoken with around 60 victims and police are still working on analyzing the data that was seized. The scope of the case will increase as the investigation is still ongoing,” Troms Police spokeswoman Elin Norgård Strand said. 
 
The suspect has been held on remand since March, when police began an investigation into the case.
 
“Police have so far provided little information to the media. The reason for this is our concern for the victims and the danger that they will not speak freely on the matter if it is discussed in the media,” the police prosecutor said in a statement.
 
According to the police, the man used the internet to sexually exploit a number of young boys. Using fake profiles on Facebook and Skype, the suspect pretended to be a 15-year-old girl in order to get the boys to exchange sexually explicit videos and photos, Strand said. 
 
He is also charged with having physically sexual contact with children under the age of 16.
 
“The accused man met some of the victims physically. He came into contact with them via a different route than the false profiles and presented himself with his true identity,” Strand said. 
 
The man has partially admitted his guilt.