A man is in custody after allegedly spending months grooming a teenage girl through a shared love of gaming while manipulating her into performing sexual acts and self-harming.
NSW Police began investigating the so-called sadistic sextortion case in August following a referral from Queensland Police.
Detectives allege Jake Vandermeer, 28, groomed a 15-year-old girl he met online and used threats to force her to send videos of herself self-harming and performing sexual acts.
NSW Police Sex Crimes Squad commander Jayne Doherty said the man, who was arrested on Wednesday, faces up to 15 years behind bars for the offences.
"Yesterday, we arrested a monster," she said on Thursday.
"Over the nine months (he) continued to have conversations with the child on a number of different platforms, including playing games with the child for up to six hours a day on platforms and purchasing gaming cards to keep her engaged."
Vandermeer allegedly threatened to abduct, rape and kill the girl if she told anyone about the sexual and self-harming videos he told her to send him.
After more than nine months, the child sought help from the Kids Helpline and the matter was reported to police in August.
When Vandermeer was arrested at Safety Beach, near Coffs Harbour on the NSW Mid-North Coast, police seized several electronic devices.
He was charged with offences including using a carriage service to engage in sexual activity with a child, harming a person under 16, grooming someone under 16 for sex, threatening to kill, threatening serious harm and causing child sexual activity.
He was refused bail in Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday when the case was adjourned until December.
Detective Superintendent Doherty said police had noticed a rise in sadistic sextortion cases.
"These are the most horrendous acts that anyone can perform against a child," she said.
"We've become used to hearing about children being vulnerable for financial gain ... with sadistic sextortion the offender isn't out to get money, he is out to drive that child to do more and more sadistic things ... for his own gratification."
Parents must be aware of who their children are talking to online and open conversations about online safety.
Federal police have also recorded a surge in sextortion cases, including about 300 reports per month of cases involving children, as of late 2023.
That year, one Australian boy took his own life after allegedly being scammed by Nigerian criminals posing as a white woman.
The cybercriminals allegedly threatened to share the boy's photos with his family and friends if he did not pay $500.
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
