Man arrested for contacting 14 underage girls via Snapchat and WhatsApp, requesting nude photos

Latvia's State Police has concluded a criminal investigation into a man suspected of committing 20 sexual offences against 14 minors between August 2024 and February 2026.

The case began in October 2025, when a woman reported to police that a stranger had been messaging her nine-year-old daughter on Snapchat about sexual topics and had demanded an intimate photograph. Investigators identified the man, born in 1984, who had a prior conviction for possessing child pornography. He was detained on 26 February 2026, and the following day a court ordered his pretrial detention.

An examination of data storage devices seized from the suspect revealed that he had targeted additional girls in the same manner. In total, he initiated conversations with 14 victims aged 8 to 16 through Snapchat and WhatsApp, asking them to photograph or film themselves naked and send him the material. In one case, he also tried to persuade a girl to meet him in person for sexual purposes. Investigators additionally found 32 files containing child pornography on his devices.

Case sent to prosecutors

On 25 September, the Riga Regional Criminal Police forwarded the case to the Riga Northern Prosecutor's Office, recommending that the man be charged with 20 criminal offences — including two especially serious, 15 serious and three less serious offences — under provisions of the Criminal Law covering the production of child pornography, corruption of minors, inciting minors into sexual activity, and possession of child pornography. If convicted of the most serious charge, he could face three to twelve years of imprisonment along with up to three years of probationary supervision.

Police stressed that a person is not considered guilty until proven so through the legally established procedure. Authorities urged parents to discuss online safety with their children, encourage caution when communicating with strangers, and reassure children that they can turn to parents or other trusted adults for help.