India – A man from Mumbai was arrested by the Central Bureau for Investigation (CBI) as he had been selling objectionable photographs of children. The man, who claims to be a junior film artist used to target children of foreign countries and used to lure them on the pretext of getting them roles in movies.

Major targets of the accused included children settled in the United States, Europe and South Asia. Allegedly, the accused had contacted 1,000 persons while operating the racket.

The accused used to operate on social media app Instagram and had contacted around 1,000 people. He would start conversing with children on the pretext of getting them roles and would also make video calls.

During the calls, the accused used to ask the children to strike objectionable poses and would sell their photographs to clients from different countries. If the children refused to continue posing, the accused used to threaten them by saying that he would post the photographs on social media, The Indian Express reported.

On Sunday, the officials carried out searches at the accused man’s residence in Mumbai and seized his laptop as well as mobile phone.

Prima facie, the forensic scanning points at online sexual abuse. CBI Spokesperson RK Gaur said, “We have registered a case and further investigation is on in the matter.”

The accused has been booked under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Efforts are underway to nab other persons who might have been involved with the racket.