DailySun
Johannesburg – Authorities have imposed a freeze on the bank accounts of the unusual duo, Darryn Wilken and his girlfriend Tiona Megan Moodley, following their arrest in connection with millions of images illustrating child sexual abuse.
A luxury vehicle registered to Wilken has been seized, and more than half a million rand from the couple’s bank accounts has been secured.
The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) announced on Tuesday, (11 March 2025), that the High Court of South Africa has approved their motion to freeze the couple’s assets.
The main suspect, 35-year-old Wilken, was arrested on 17 January 2025 at his home, where law enforcement officials discovered millions of images depicting child sexual abuse.
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His girlfriend, 25-year-old Moodley, was taken into custody on 23 January 2025.
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Since their arrests, the couple has remained in custody.
The AFU stated that it filed an urgent application to safeguard the cash seized at the crime scene, along with additional funds from a frozen joint bank account owned by Wilken and Moodley; this request was granted by the high court on 17 February 2025.
This action followed the execution of a search and seizure warrant obtained by the Cybercrime Unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS) on 17 January 2025, which ultimately led to Wilken’s arrest.
He is facing multiple charges, including the manufacture and distribution of child pornography, drug possession, and money laundering.
NPA Gauteng Spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane confirmed that the search and seizure operation was the outcome of collaborative investigations involving SAPS and US law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the US Secret Service.
Wilken allegedly operated a child pornography website, providing child sexual abuse material for sale to clients worldwide.
“He reportedly managed this ‘enterprise’ from a residential unit in a complex in Midrand, hosting child pornography on a platform believed to be the largest collection of such material ever discovered in South Africa,” stated Mjonondwane.
“Additionally, Wilken’s luxury vehicle, which notably displayed the registration number ‘KIDZ NA GP’, was confiscated.”
“Items specified in the search and seizure warrant included the luxury vehicle, high-end electronic devices, and R647,300 in cash.”
Mjonondwane also mentioned that further evidence collected by SAPS led to the apprehension of an accomplice and Wilken’s girlfriend, Moodley, who is facing charges related to the manufacture and distribution of child pornography hosted on a website, as well as money laundering charges.
“Thanks to the coordinated efforts of an international multidisciplinary team, including the US Secret Service, the FBI, SAPS, Financial Intelligence Centre, and the AFU, the assets belonging to the accused were confiscated,” Mjonondwane noted.
“The accused subsequently appeared in the Randburg Regional Court, where their legal representatives submitted a bail application.”
“This application was successfully opposed by the State Advocate representing the NPA.”
The Court issued a ruling on 14 February 2025, denying the accused bail.
The investigation into this matter remains ongoing, both locally and internationally, with the aim of protecting children’s rights.
