Child pornography cases a ‘prominent’ crime this year

The number of child pornography cases in Macau surged to a startling 83 within a four-month period from July to October this year, Deputy Director of the Judiciary Police (PJ) Chan Kin Hong revealed during yesterday’s TDM radio program Macau Forum.
“This type of crime is particularly prominent this year. It has prompted discussions and worries in local society,” Chan said.
He ascribed the climbing number to a 2017 amendment pertaining to “child pornography” in the Penal Code of Macau, which stipulates a concrete legal framework the police force can rely on and enforce.
According to Article 170A of the Penal Code, the law criminalizes the acts of “using minors aged below 18 to participate in pornographic performances or persuading them for this purpose” and “using minors to take pornographic photos, videos or recordings, or persuad[ing] them for this purpose.”
Also of note is the increase in online crime in the city during the year of pandemic, as more residents have turned to online communication while observing social distancing.
In view of insufficient awareness of internet crime and security, criminals have exploited the online platform, defrauding or blackmailing internet users through romance scams or naked chats, Chan disclosed.
The epidemic has also helped propel online consumption, which also led to more reported cases of credit card fraud. Staff Reporter