Serious suspicion: Man impersonated a teenager on social media and harmed dozens of minors

Unit 105 of Lahav 433 is conducting an investigation into a resident of the central region in his 40s, suspected of committing serious offenses of raping a minor, indecent acts, sexual harassment, and providing false information on a computer. The covert investigation was opened following an initial report to the 105 hotline by a 12-year-old girl, who stated that the user had sexually harassed her online. Upon moving to an open investigation, the suspect was arrested, and his detention was extended by the Magistrate's Court in Rishon LeZion until Tuesday.

According to police findings, the man operated for several years, between 2022 and 2025, presenting himself on TikTok and Instagram as a 16-year-old boy. To facilitate the fraud, he used a photo of another minor to establish contact with girls aged 11 to 15. During his interactions, he would compliment their bodies, demand that they perform sexual acts, and send them obscene videos and images of his genitals.

So far, investigators from Unit 105 have identified over 20 victims harmed by the suspect's actions. The investigation is ongoing, and the Israel Police urges anyone who has been harmed by the suspect's profiles to contact the 105 hotline as soon as possible. The police emphasize the importance of reporting to the National Center for the Protection of Children Online, which aims to prevent further harm to minors and ensure offenders are brought to justice.