Posed as a teen on TikTok and Instagram: Suspect in sex crimes against dozens of minors arrested

A central Israel resident in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of posing as a 16-year-old boy on TikTok and Instagram and committing sex offenses against dozens of girls aged 11 to 15. Unit 105 has so far identified more than 20 victims. The investigation was opened following a report by a 12-year-old to the 105 hotline.

A central Israel resident in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of posing for years as a 16-year-old boy on the social networks TikTok and Instagram, using a photo of another minor, and committing sex offenses against dozens of girls aged 11 to 15. Unit 105 of Lahav 433 has so far located and identified more than 20 victims. The covert investigation was opened following a report received at the 105 hotline from a girl about 12 years old, who said that a user on the network had sexually harassed her. According to the suspicion, the man complimented the girls on their bodies, asked them to perform sexual acts on themselves, and sent them pornographic videos and sexual recordings of himself. He is suspected of indecent acts with minors, sexual harassment, rape of a minor, and providing false information on a computer. His remand was extended until August 25. The unit calls on additional victims to contact the 105 hotline.