Five Gold Coast men have been charged with multiple child sex offences following an undercover police operation.
The men, aged between 22 and 58, thought they were chatting online with a parent and are accused of arranging to meet with their child.
Police allege the men attempted to access a child with the intention of engaging in sexual acts.
The arrests are thanks to a joint investigation by officers from Argos and the Gold Coast Child Protection and Investigation Unit.
The investigation commenced on November 20 on the Gold Coast, identifying the men engaging with Argos Detectives online.
A 58-year-old Mermaid Waters man was charged with grooming a parent or the carer of a child under 16 years with intent to procure child for a sexual act.
A 25-year-old Mermaid Beach man was charged with grooming a parent or the carer of a child under 16 years with intent to procure child for a sexual act, and the solicitation of child abuse material by using a carriage service.
A 22-year-old Southport man was charged with grooming a parent or the carer of a child under 16 years with intent to procure child for a sexual act.
A 28-year-old Upper Coomera man was charged with grooming a parent or the carer of a child under 16 years with intent to procure child for a sexual act.
A 45-year-old Helensvale man was charged with grooming a parent or the carer of a child under 16 years with intent to procure child for a sexual act.
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The men are due to front court separately in November and December.
Detective Acting Inspector Cameron Burke of the Child Abuse and Sexual Crime Group’s unit Argos says whilst this investigation centred on the Gold Coast, police will continue to work across Queensland, and with interstate and international partners, to target those who seek to sexually exploit children online.
“This operation also highlights that parents and carers need to have regular conversations with their children about online safety and the importance of having a trusted adult that they can confide in if they are worried about an online experience or are feeling unsafe,. Detective Acting Inspector Burke says.
Police say proactive operations such as these are crucial to draw out sexual offenders who utilise on-line means to groom and offend against child victims.
