Cyber-Grooming in Vienna: 47-Year-Old Charged After Allegedly at Least 40 Abuses Against Girls

The first of the victims was 13 years old, and the other two were only twelve at the beginning of the incriminating acts. The girls accordingly filmed or photographed themselves with their mobile phones and sent the material to the defendant via messenger services. The indictment assumes at least 40 such assaults. In one case, the man is alleged to have even demanded that the 13-year-old girl involve a friend one year younger and transmit material recorded together.

Investigations and Evidence

During a house search, investigators seized data carriers with thousands of files of child pornography. According to the indictment, parts of the material are also alleged to have been uploaded to the darknet. The 47-year-old already has a prior conviction for possession of pictorial child abuse material under § 207a of the Austrian Criminal Code (StGB).

The man was identified and arrested at the end of June 2025. Since then, he has been in pre-trial detention due to the risk of re-offending. A psychiatric expert opinion obtained by the prosecution during the investigation concludes that the man has a "consolidated pedophilic deviation," which is classified as a "severe and persistent psychological" disorder. The experts therefore see a risk of further offenses.

Expert Opinions and Possible Sanctions

As the spokesperson for the Vienna Regional Court, Christina Salzborn, confirmed to the APA, the trial is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon and is expected to last several hours. In the event of a conviction, the man faces up to ten years in prison. The expert opinion also recommends, in accordance with § 21 paragraph 2 StGB, the placement of the man, who is otherwise capable of being held accountable, in so-called "Maßnahmenvollzug," i.e., in a forensic-therapeutic facility.

The case is part of a growing number of cyber-grooming proceedings in Austria. Recently, investigators reported a crackdown on an international child pornography network as part of Operation "Fever." Authorities have observed an increase in cases for years where perpetrators approach minors via social networks and induce them to create abuse material.

Trial Opening and Framework Conditions

With the upcoming trial, the question of how children and adolescents can be better protected on the internet moves into the spotlight. Experts point to reporting channels, preventive education, and the responsibility of platform operators. The specific Vienna case illustrates, according to investigators' assessments, how systematically individual perpetrators operate and how quickly an initial contact can develop into a recurring pattern.

The Vienna Regional Court has announced strict security measures for the hearing. The public will be admitted, but a large part of the proceedings is likely to take place without the press and public present, as the victims are still minors. The court will only provide information on the progress after the first day of the hearing on Wednesday.