Queensland Police charge child abuse offenders

Each of the men had allegedly contacted a child online on November 19 and planned to meet on the Gold Coast.

But the 'child' was actually a team of detectives from Taskforce Argos, the branch of Queensland Police responsible for tracking online child exploitation and abuse.

"The exploitation of children is a scourge in our society, and we will continue to take proactive measures to identify those who seek to engage in the exploitation of children," detective acting inspector Troy Penrose said.

Undercover officers strolled up to the men, allegedly waiting to meet the child, and made the arrests on November 20 and 21.

A 73-year-old Currumbin Waters man, 50-year-old Arundel man and 25-year-old Southport man were arrested.

Each man was charged with "grooming a parent or carer of a child under 16 years with intent to facilitate the procurement of the child to engage in a sexual act".

The men are expected to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on December 5.

Taskforce Argos detective inspector Glen Donaldson said "this operation highlights that parents and caregivers need to have regular conversations with their children about online safety and the importance of having a trusted adult that they can confide in if they are worried about an online experience or are feeling unsafe".

A number of resources for parents and carers concerned with online safety are available through Think U Know, eSafety Commissioner and Who's Chatting to your Kids?

Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

Support is available for those who may be distressed: