Police have revealed that one complaint about an internet user has led to the identification of more that 200 people around the world. Fifteen of these have been charged for offences ranging from grooming to rape.
The operation was launched after police received a phone call from a worried parent in the central Scotland area.
Four thousand online dialogues were examined and 2000 email addresses were noted which led to the identification of 215 men engaged in criminality involving children online. Fifteen of those were charged with committing serious sex offences
Central Scotland Police say that the cases should be a further warning to parents about the dangers children face when they use the internet and are urging them to be more vigilant and take further steps to safeguard their children's identities.
The warning comes as social networking site Bebo, which is popular with young people, introduces as 'panic button' that allows its members to report suspected grooming as well as bullying, virus and hacking concerns.
The CEOP Report button is named after the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, and by using it Bebo users can access advice, as well as details about their local police and be able to contact trained police officers.
Other social network sites have been criticised for not so far following the move.
