Church leader in online photo scam

His mission was to entice at least 50 teenage boys to send him explicit pictures, while posing as a scantily dressed woman. He is alleged to have posted his pictures online, using Instagram and WhatsApp.

The 27-year old church youth leader asked for more pictures from the boys, threatening that if no more pictures were sent, he would make public the ones he had.

Some of his other victims included pupils in some of Cape Town’s boys’ schools, where he posed as a sports photographer and church youth worker.

An investigation was launched by The Hawks and the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), after one of the parents found text exchanges between their soon and the church leader. They then alerted the church leaders.

The youth leader was arrested in Rondesboch, with his  electronic devices taken for analysis. The church leaders then called boys’ parents, telling them of the target by the youth leader on their son(s).

“As shocking as the news was‚ most parents took time to ask lots of questions so that they were empowered to help their children. There were feelings of betrayal expressed by those who new the alleged perpetrator‚ but also relief that he has been apprehended,” the senior pastor, Ryan TerMorshuizen said.

During recent investigation, it was revealed that two boys had approached the youth leader for advice about being extorted online. He had replied along the lines of‚ “You’d better just send the pictures and hope the person stops harassing you.”

Steps taken by the church in ensuring this does not happen again include informing principals of affected schools,  and getting an external expert to speak to church youth groups.

The suspect was charged with possession of child pornography and failing to report knowledge of the commission of a sexual offence with children. He was released on R1000 bail.