A 32-year-old man from Highton, Geelong, Victoria, has been sentenced to nearly 12 years in prison for creating and distributing an online video game that simulated child sexual abuse, a serious crime causing widespread outrage. Following a joint investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Victoria Police, he was arrested in August 2023 after the disturbing nature of the game, which allowed users to engage with animated child exploitation content, came to light. It is estimated that thousands accessed this reprehensible game, contributing to the man’s significant profits.
On 1 April 2025, the County Court of Victoria imposed a sentence of 11 years and nine months, alongside a non-parole period of eight years and four months. The investigation also led to the Australian Federal Police’s Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce obtaining a restraining order on the man’s assets just prior to executing search warrants. Authorities discovered that profits from the game were used to purchase luxury items, including vehicles and electronics.
As part of the sentencing, the man is now ordered to pay over $850,000 to the Commonwealth. Confiscated assets include proceeds from two motor vehicles, a plethora of high-value household items, and more than $30,000 in cash. Commander Jason Kennedy of the AFP emphasised the importance of stripping criminals of their financial gains, stating, “To make a game out of exploiting some of the most vulnerable members of our community is sickening,” and expressed solace in knowing that these profits would be redirected to benefit the community.
Detective Superintendent Tim McKinney from Victoria Police described the case as a landmark, underscoring the evolving nature of child exploitation crimes. He reiterated that the law does not differentiate between simulated and actual offenses against children, deeming both criminal. “To treat this as a game is vile. To profit from it is utterly abhorrent,” he stated.
Since 2019, the taskforce has confiscated assets worth over $1.2 billion, including properties and luxury items. The confiscated funds are overseen by the Australian Financial Security Authority and are intended for reinvestment into crime prevention and law enforcement endeavors. The authorities remain committed to tackling the financial incentives that drive the exploitation of children, ensuring that profits from such heinous acts are eliminated.