CUIJK, Netherlands, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- A man suspected of sexually abusing hundreds of girls via the Internet has been arrested in the Netherlands, the public prosecutor's office confirmed Wednesday.

Prosecutors allege the man has been actively grooming his victims, numbering about 300 girls between the ages of 10 and 17, for eight years, Dutchnews.nl reported.


Police found 26,000 videos and 144,000 photographs during a raid on the man's house in Cuijk, prosecutors said in a statement. The suspect was identified as 48-year-old Frank R.

The man befriended the girls by pretending to be the same age as them, then persuaded them to perform sexual acts in front of a webcam, which he recorded, authorities said.

About 30 of the girls are reportedly were from Belgium and the rest were from the Netherlands, Nos Television said. About 65 victims have been identified.

Authorities became aware of the case after the disappearance of a 12-year-old girl from Groningen in May. She later was found in the suspect's vehicle and told police he had abused her, Dutchnews.nl said.

The man was arrested after the girl was found and has been in custody during the investigation, Nos television said.

Nos said it wasn't clear when the case would be brought to trial or whether the man has confessed to his crimes.

Three girls have so far made formal police complaints against the man.