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'Justin Bieber impostor' on 931 child sex-related charges 'Justin Bieber impostor' on 931 child sex-related charges
(about 2 hours later)
A man who posed as Justin Bieber online has been charged with more than 900 child sex-related crimes in Australia.A man who posed as Justin Bieber online has been charged with more than 900 child sex-related crimes in Australia.
The man, 42, masqueraded as the singer to solicit explicit images from children, Queensland Police said. The man, 42, masqueraded as the Canadian singer to gain explicit images from children, Queensland Police said.
Already accused of grooming children, the man was this week charged with 931 new crimes including three of rape. He was charged with 931 crimes, including three of rape, involving 157 alleged victims across the globe.
Detective Inspector Jon Rouse called the allegations "frankly horrendous" and warned young fans of the singer and parents to be vigilant.Detective Inspector Jon Rouse called the allegations "frankly horrendous" and warned young fans of the singer and parents to be vigilant.
"The fact that so many children could believe that they were communicating with this particular celebrity highlights the need for a serious rethink about the way that we as a society educate our children about online safety," said Mr Rouse."The fact that so many children could believe that they were communicating with this particular celebrity highlights the need for a serious rethink about the way that we as a society educate our children about online safety," said Mr Rouse.
How can I keep my children safe online?How can I keep my children safe online?
How the allegations surfaced Queensland Police confirmed the investigation also involved international authorities. According to local media they are German police and US Homeland Security.
Police said the man was already under investigation for possessing exploitative material and grooming children before they searched his computer this week. Fifty of the alleged victims were in the US, six were in Australia, while 101 were in nations police did not name.
They said they had found evidence he had been using "multiple online platforms" including Facebook and Skype to communicate with children. The man was already facing charges in Queensland of possessing exploitative material and grooming children, but the 931 charges were added this week after police searched his computer.
The fresh claims, dating back to 2007, include three charges of rape and five of indecently treating a child under 12, police said. He had been using "multiple online platforms" including Facebook and Skype to communicate with children, police said.
Police did not detail where the children were, but Mr Rouse said the allegations showed "the global reach and skill that child sex offenders have to groom and seduce victims". The fresh claims, dating back to 2007, include three charges of rape and five of indecently treating a child under 12.
Mr Rouse said the allegations showed "the global reach and skill that child sex offenders have to groom and seduce victims".
He urged parents to help keep children safe online.He urged parents to help keep children safe online.
The accused man will face a Brisbane court on 6 April.The accused man will face a Brisbane court on 6 April.