Cybercrime tip from Ottawa resident leads to international arrest for child exploitation | #cybercrime | #infosec

A cybercrime tip submitted by an Ottawa resident one year ago kicked off an investigation that led to an international arrest for child sexual exploitation and helped protect five children, the Ottawa Police Service says.

OPS said it received information back in July 2025 from the National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC) about a Cybertip.ca report submitted by someone in Ottawa. That kickstarted an OPS investigation in July 2025.

The RCMP were also brought in.

Further work between law enforcement agencies in Canada and the Philippines led to “an enforcement operation by the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation – Human Trafficking Division” and the arrest of one person. They have been charged with child sexual exploitation offences.

OPS did not say when the person was arrested.

“This investigation highlights the importance of reporting suspected online child sexual exploitation,” OPS said in a Friday news release. “Eight victims were brought to safety, including five children.”

Police said the victims were placed under the care of child protection and social service agencies.