Global Child Abuse Probe
Hamilton man faces 130+ charges for directing international child abuse livestreams
Anonymous
Key Points
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RCMP-led National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC) operation in April 2025 helped identify the Canadian buyer paying for and directing livestreamed abuse, with the Netherlands Police assisting in tracing the money flow to the suspect.
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Philippine authorities, through the National Bureau of Investigation Human Trafficking Division, arrested the alleged facilitator in October 2025, which resulted in the rescue of four children.
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The accused allegedly used multiple online aliases to conceal activity, including Tupac101, Steve101, Steve-o, Jumpinjacks666, Mighty and Mightymann66.
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After an initial March arrest with six charges, investigators laid about 130 more charges, including 49 counts of accessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material, 29 counts of making such material, and 6 counts of making arrangements to commit sexual assault.
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A March 25 Hamilton search near Kenilworth Ave N and Cannon St E led to discovery of additional material and reinforced ongoing investigations against Stephen Tolys, 42, with further charges pursued.
A 42-year-old Hamilton man is facing more than 130 charges tied to a global investigation into livestreamed child sexual abuse in the Philippines, according to CTV News and The Toronto Star. Police allege Stephen Tolys paid to watch and direct the abuse of children streamed live from overseas — with investigators estimating more than 50 victims still unidentified.
The case spans at least five countries and involves Toronto Police, the RCMP, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, Netherlands Police, and Philippine authorities. Investigators say Tolys used multiple online aliases to hide his activity. The probe is ongoing.
How a Canadian-Led Probe Traced Money to Hamilton
The investigation started in April 2025, led by the RCMP's National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC). The NCECC works to identify Canadians who pay for child abuse overseas. Netherlands Police helped trace the money flow, linking payments directly to Tolys, according to CHCH News.
Tolys was first arrested in March 2025, near Kenilworth Ave N and Cannon St E in Hamilton. At that point, he faced just six charges. A search of the area turned up more material. That discovery pushed investigators to dig deeper — and the charge count exploded.
Philippine Arrest Rescued Four Children in October
In October 2025, Philippine authorities from the National Bureau of Investigation Human Trafficking Division arrested the alleged facilitator — the person who streamed the abuse. That arrest led directly to the rescue of four children, according to The Toronto Star.
Investigators say customers around the world paid to watch the abuse in real time. Police allege Tolys was not just a viewer — he directed what happened on screen. The Philippine facilitator's cooperation after arrest helped build the broader case against Tolys.
130 Charges Include Dozens of Counts of Making Abuse Material
After the initial six charges in March, police added roughly 130 more, according to CHCH News. The new charges include 49 counts of accessing child sexual abuse material, 29 counts of making such material, and 6 counts of making arrangements to commit sexual assault. Tolys is now 42 years old.
Police say Tolys operated under at least six online aliases: Tupac101, Steve101, Steve-o, Jumpinjacks666, Mighty, and Mightymann66. The aliases were used to hide his identity while directing abuse online, according to Insauga.
Investigators Still Searching for More Than 50 Unidentified Victims
Police estimate more than 50 victims have not yet been identified, according to The Toronto Star. Authorities are appealing to anyone who may have been in contact with Tolys online — or who has information about other victims — to come forward. The investigation remains active.
The scale of the case reflects a wider pattern. Livestreamed child abuse in the Philippines has been a growing concern for global law enforcement for years. Customers in wealthier countries pay facilitators overseas to abuse children on camera in real time. Cases often require multi-country cooperation to prosecute.
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