BoyLover.net - Revision history

Etenne at 21:59, 5 July 2022

2022-07-05T21:59:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:59, 5 July 2022
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			[[File:Logo-Boylover.net.jpg\|600px\|center]]
	'''BoyLover.net''' (other names: BLN, BLn, bl.net) was one of the world's largest online [[Boylove community\|boylover communities]], and was the largest [[online message board]] for [[boylover]]s. It was started in 2002, and shut down when the server was seized as part of Operation Rescue in 2009.		'''BoyLover.net''' (other names: BLN, BLn, bl.net) was one of the world's largest online [[Boylove community\|boylover communities]], and was the largest [[online message board]] for [[boylover]]s. It was started in 2002, and shut down when the server was seized as part of Operation Rescue in 2009.

FalseAlias: Minor correction regarding details of BLN server seizure. It was never raided by FBI due to jurisdiction. Other touchups too.

2021-03-01T06:08:33Z

Minor correction regarding details of BLN server seizure. It was never raided by FBI due to jurisdiction. Other touchups too.

FalseAlias: BLN blacklisted by Web Archive.

2021-02-08T04:30:30Z

BLN blacklisted by Web Archive.

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:30, 8 February 2021
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	'''BoyLover.net''' (other names: BLN, BLn, bl.net) was one of the world's largest online [[Boylove community\|boylover communities]], and was the largest [[online message board]] for [[boylover]]s. It was started in 2002, and shut down by an FBI raid in 2009.		'''BoyLover.net''' (other names: BLN, BLn, bl.net) was one of the world's largest online [[Boylove community\|boylover communities]], and was the largest [[online message board]] for [[boylover]]s. It was started in 2002, and shut down by an FBI raid in 2009.

			Note: As of January 2021, the Wayback Machine has blacklisted searches for the boylover.net domain. Previously, these sources were accurate and displayed content accurate to what is being cited by each link.

	==History==		==History==

FalseAlias: Moving Operation Rescue stuff to another page and providing a summary.

2019-01-07T12:56:57Z

Moving Operation Rescue stuff to another page and providing a summary.

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:56, 7 January 2019
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	BLN was back online by mid January 2005 with no compromised user data. Two weeks of data was lost due to the sudden nature of the downtime.<ref name="fbi2004_05">[http://web.archive.org/web/20050120024829/http://www.arleigh-burke.info:80/lostboy/ BoyLover.net Emergency News Page (Internet Archive, 2005-01-20 @ 02:48:29)] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>		BLN was back online by mid January 2005 with no compromised user data. Two weeks of data was lost due to the sudden nature of the downtime.<ref name="fbi2004_05">[http://web.archive.org/web/20050120024829/http://www.arleigh-burke.info:80/lostboy/ BoyLover.net Emergency News Page (Internet Archive, 2005-01-20 @ 02:48:29)] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>

	===~~Operations Rescue, Naga, and Caledon~~===		===Site shutdown===
	Starting in 2007, The UK-based Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) started investigating BoyLover.net, and later that year infiltrated the website, in an operation which would become Operation Rescue in 2009 when it joined forces with Europol, Australia, US authorities, and various other countries. In 2008, the Australian Federal Police's new unit Child Protection Operations (CPO) began to take note of BoyLover.net after an investigation into two child sex tourists started to involve the website. Intelligence gathering on BoyLover.net quickly became a secondary focus, and soon Operation Caledon shifted focus. Initially, Operation Caledon was named Action Hercules.<ref name="aus2">[https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/250878-three-australians-arrested-in-child-sex-tourism-ring/ Three Australians Arrested In Child Sex Tourism Ring - Thailand News - Thailand Visa Forum by Thai Visa \| The Nation] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref><ref name="aus3">[~~https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1192957.htm '~~Operation ~~Caledon~~' = 'Action Hercule (BoyChat) 2009-12-10 17:58:38 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref> Later in 2008 the AFP began to suggest a cooperative effort in investigating BoyLover.net.<ref>[http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/AUFPPlatypus/2013/6.pdf Australian Federal Police Platypus Magazine, page 27 -32] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>		''Main article: [[Operation Rescue]]''

	~~In February 2008~~, ~~CEOP handed Thai authorities information on~~ a ~~potential child sex offences occuring in the country~~ being ~~committed~~ by ~~British citizens~~. ~~This information~~ was ~~later used~~ by ~~Thai authorities in Operation Naga to arrest four men~~.<ref name="~~fbi2009_06~~">[http://web.archive.org/web/~~20181024094645~~/https://www.~~theguardian~~.com/~~society/2011/mar/16/global~~-~~paedophile~~-ring~~-smashed Police shut down global paedophile network in Operation Rescue \| Society \| The Guardian~~ (Internet Archive, ~~2018~~-10-24 @ 09:46:~~45)~~] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>		On November 25, 2009, a complex international investigation being run by Europol seized the BoyLover.net server and arrested some of the site's senior members of staff. Joecool4218 and JagDawg were arrested by ICE, and LostBoy was arrested by Dutch police. In New Zealand Loren was also arrested. [[BoyZoom]], Loren's site, was shut down by other members of its administration temporarily. On December 1, BoyZoom announced its permanent closure.<ref name="fbi2009_01">[http://web.archive.org/web/20091212191232/https://www.northfulton.com/articles-c-2009-12-07-181049.114126-sub_international_child_porn_ring_tied_to_roswell_cumming.html International child porn ring tied to Roswell, Cumming (Internet Archive, 2009-12-12 @ 19:12:32] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref><ref name="bz_2009_01">[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1190351.htm I got this news from the BZ... (BoyChat) 2009-11-25 19:38:56 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref><ref name="bz_2009_02">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1191168.htm Re: B/Z down to? (BoyChat) - 2009-12-1 12:00:46 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>

	Somewhere in 2008 or 2009, British authorities were able to take over the account of BLN British administrator. This gave them almost complete access to the site, allowing them to see all the information members entered into their profiles (including birth date, occupation, location, and more).<ref name="fbi2009_06" />		On March 2011, a press conference held by Europol following the conviction of LostBoy provided details of the three-year investigation named Operation Rescue. It was announced that there were 184 arrests and 670 suspects were identified and investigated. They also stated that, at the time of the conference, 4202 intelligence reports had been distributed to over 30 countries.<ref name="europol1">[https://www.europol.europa.eu/activities-services/europol-in-action/operations/operation-rescue Operation Rescue \| Europol] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>

	In 2009, two senior BLN members were arrested by AFP, and three months later US authorities were informed that Joseph Gittings (later identified as Joecool4218) was an administrator to BLN.<ref name="fbi2009_01">[http://web.archive.org/web/20091212191232/https://www.northfulton.com/articles-c-2009-12-07-181049.114126-sub_international_child_porn_ring_tied_to_roswell_cumming.html International child porn ring tied to Roswell, Cumming (Internet Archive, 2009-12-12 @ 19:12:32] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>

	On ~~November 24, 2009~~, a ~~raid was conducted~~ by ~~Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on~~ the ~~home~~ of Gittings, arresting him for child pornography possession and distribution, and also arrested his boyfriend on separate charges. A day later, November 25, Dale Hodges was raided and arrested at his home on further child pornography charges, and Amir Ish-Hurwitz (LostBoy~~) was raided in his Netherlands home while Dutch authorities elsewhere seized the server for BLN resulting in the site's permanent closure. At the time~~ of ~~being closed,~~ the ~~site had over 70,000 members~~.~~<ref name="fbi2009_06" /><ref name="fbi2009_01" /> On the same day, Loren~~ was ~~raided and his site [[BoyZoom]] was closed to ensure members~~ were safe.<ref name="bz_2009_01">[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1190351.htm I got this news from the BZ... (BoyChat) 2009-11-25 19:38:56 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref> On December 1, BoyZoom permanently shut down in fear of being closed down.<ref name="bz_2009_02">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1191168.htm Re: B/Z down to? (BoyChat) - 2009-12-1 12:00:46 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>

	~~The seizure and~~ arrests ~~were quick to spread amongst boylovers, with the first thread on BoyChat gaining many replies in the few days after being posted~~ and numerous other threads appearing throughout the following few months.<ref name="boychat_2009_01">[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1190323.htm what happened to boylover.net (BoyChat) - 2009-11-25 17:14:50 EST]</ref> Through the next two years, details of the trials for Gittings and Hodges were ~~sporadically posted by anonymous posters~~ and ~~occasionally on request~~.<ref name="bc_2010_01">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1206984.htm BLN's 'Joecool' pleads Not Guilty (BoyChat) - 2010-03-22 18:46:07 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref><ref name="bc_2010_02">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1211659.htm Re: Any updates on BLN trials? (BoyChat) - 2010-05-23 18:55:55 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>

	~~Following the conviction of Hurwitz after his trial, Europol held a press conference and released details of Operation Rescue.<ref name="fbi2009_06" /> In total~~, at the time of the conference, ~~184 people~~ had been ~~arrested and 670 members suspected of committing criminal offences, despite claims from an Australian newspaper alleging~~ over ~~200 arrests~~.<ref name="europol1">[https://www.europol.europa.eu/activities-services/europol-in-action/operations/operation-rescue Operation Rescue \| Europol] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref><ref name="aus_2011_01">[https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/aussies-part-of-internet-paedophile-network/news-story/68c97320f192887d4a1fc9521d61c525?sv=63ddcb015bf8fd67ec59d91a58951b1e Aussies part of internet paedophile network \| Daily Telegraph] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref> 121 memberes were British, and 31 were Australian.<ref name="fbi2009_06" /><ref name="aus_2011_01" /> A total of 4202 intelligence reports had been created on members of the deceased site and distributed to 33 different countries worldwide.<ref name="europol2">[https://www.europol.europa.eu/newsroom/news/more-200-children-identified-and-rescued-in-worldwide-police-operation More than 200 children identified and rescued in worldwide police operation \| Europol] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>

	Despite rumours that administration members may have used the BLN server to exchange child pornography, the Dutch Justice Ministry stated that the BLN server was clean.<ref name="bc2011_01">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1243846.htm CJAT news story on boylover.net - 'Servers clean' (BoyChat)] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>

	==Features==		==Features==

FalseAlias: Removal of disputed, modification of security section to remove reiterated incorrect data.

2019-01-06T13:39:47Z

Removal of disputed, modification of security section to remove reiterated incorrect data.

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:39, 6 January 2019
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	~~{{disputed}}~~
	'''BoyLover.net''' (other names: BLN, BLn, bl.net) was one of the world's largest online [[Boylove community\|boylover communities]], and was the largest [[online message board]] for [[boylover]]s. It was started in 2002, and shut down by an FBI raid in 2009.		'''BoyLover.net''' (other names: BLN, BLn, bl.net) was one of the world's largest online [[Boylove community\|boylover communities]], and was the largest [[online message board]] for [[boylover]]s. It was started in 2002, and shut down by an FBI raid in 2009.

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	BoyLover.net's rules and guidelines were intended to safeguard the site's legality according to [[United States]] law. A complex, three-tiered organization of nearly 100 volunteers served users of the site and enforced site policy.		BoyLover.net's rules and guidelines were intended to safeguard the site's legality according to [[United States]] law. A complex, three-tiered organization of nearly 100 volunteers served users of the site and enforced site policy.

	~~According to site~~ administrators~~, BoyLover.net's servers~~ were ~~seized by law enforcement authorities in 2011~~.{{cite}}		Site administrators were been criticized for taking a cavalier attitude toward security problems.{{cite}}

	~~Site administrators have been criticized for taking a cavalier attitude toward security problems~~.{{cite}}		Some portals had warned against BoyLover.net on grounds that the site allowed off-site image links, making [[IP harvesting]] relatively simple. Due to this, visitors were advised to turn off images when loading BoyLover.net forums if they are worried about their surfing habits being analyzed by unknown and potentially hostile parties.{{cite}}

	Some portals had warned against BoyLover.net on grounds that the site allowed off-site image links, making [[IP harvesting]] relatively simple. Due to this, visitors were advised to turn off images when loading BoyLover.net forums if they are worried about their surfing habits being analyzed by unknown and potentially hostile parties.		BoyLover.net's privacy policy was visually lengthy, and within that it was clearly stated that they collected IP addresses. Further, it was stated that they (BoyLover.net administration) would share personal information of members to comply with law enforcement or to protect the board. At the time, this was intended as a protection measure to ensure the site remains online and functioning within the law, and these practices were used out of necessity rather than of choice.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090907171206/http://www.boylover.net/info/privacy.php BoyLover.net Privacy Statement (Internet Archive, 2009-09-07 @ 17:12:06)] Accessed June 13, 2018</ref>

	BoyLover.net's privacy policy was visually lengthy, and within that it was clearly stated that they collected IP addresses. Further, it was stated that they (BoyLover.net administration) would share personal information of members to comply with law enforcement or to protect the board.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090907171206/http://www.boylover.net/info/privacy.php BoyLover.net Privacy Statement (Internet Archive, 2009-09-07 @ 17:12:06)] Accessed June 13, 2018</ref>

	==Mission statement==		==Mission statement==

FalseAlias: /* Operations Rescue, Naga, and Caledon */ Access date for citation aus3.

2018-12-01T20:29:24Z

Operations Rescue, Naga, and Caledon: Access date for citation aus3.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:29, 1 December 2018
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	===Operations Rescue, Naga, and Caledon===		===Operations Rescue, Naga, and Caledon===
	Starting in 2007, The UK-based Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) started investigating BoyLover.net, and later that year infiltrated the website, in an operation which would become Operation Rescue in 2009 when it joined forces with Europol, Australia, US authorities, and various other countries. In 2008, the Australian Federal Police's new unit Child Protection Operations (CPO) began to take note of BoyLover.net after an investigation into two child sex tourists started to involve the website. Intelligence gathering on BoyLover.net quickly became a secondary focus, and soon Operation Caledon shifted focus. Initially, Operation Caledon was named Action Hercules.<ref name="aus2">[https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/250878-three-australians-arrested-in-child-sex-tourism-ring/ Three Australians Arrested In Child Sex Tourism Ring - Thailand News - Thailand Visa Forum by Thai Visa \| The Nation] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref><ref name="aus3">[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1192957.htm 'Operation Caledon' = 'Action Hercule (BoyChat) 2009-12-10 17:58:38 EST]</ref> Later in 2008 the AFP began to suggest a cooperative effort in investigating BoyLover.net.<ref>[http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/AUFPPlatypus/2013/6.pdf Australian Federal Police Platypus Magazine, page 27 -32] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>		Starting in 2007, The UK-based Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) started investigating BoyLover.net, and later that year infiltrated the website, in an operation which would become Operation Rescue in 2009 when it joined forces with Europol, Australia, US authorities, and various other countries. In 2008, the Australian Federal Police's new unit Child Protection Operations (CPO) began to take note of BoyLover.net after an investigation into two child sex tourists started to involve the website. Intelligence gathering on BoyLover.net quickly became a secondary focus, and soon Operation Caledon shifted focus. Initially, Operation Caledon was named Action Hercules.<ref name="aus2">[https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/250878-three-australians-arrested-in-child-sex-tourism-ring/ Three Australians Arrested In Child Sex Tourism Ring - Thailand News - Thailand Visa Forum by Thai Visa \| The Nation] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref><ref name="aus3">[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1192957.htm 'Operation Caledon' = 'Action Hercule (BoyChat) 2009-12-10 17:58:38 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref> Later in 2008 the AFP began to suggest a cooperative effort in investigating BoyLover.net.<ref>[http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/AUFPPlatypus/2013/6.pdf Australian Federal Police Platypus Magazine, page 27 -32] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>

	In February 2008, CEOP handed Thai authorities information on a potential child sex offences occuring in the country being committed by British citizens. This information was later used by Thai authorities in Operation Naga to arrest four men.<ref name="fbi2009_06">[http://web.archive.org/web/20181024094645/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2011/mar/16/global-paedophile-ring-smashed Police shut down global paedophile network in Operation Rescue \| Society \| The Guardian (Internet Archive, 2018-10-24 @ 09:46:45)] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>		In February 2008, CEOP handed Thai authorities information on a potential child sex offences occuring in the country being committed by British citizens. This information was later used by Thai authorities in Operation Naga to arrest four men.<ref name="fbi2009_06">[http://web.archive.org/web/20181024094645/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2011/mar/16/global-paedophile-ring-smashed Police shut down global paedophile network in Operation Rescue \| Society \| The Guardian (Internet Archive, 2018-10-24 @ 09:46:45)] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>

FalseAlias: /* Operations Rescue, Naga, and Caledon */ Order of citations.

2018-12-01T20:28:28Z

Operations Rescue, Naga, and Caledon: Order of citations.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:28, 1 December 2018
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	In 2009, two senior BLN members were arrested by AFP, and three months later US authorities were informed that Joseph Gittings (later identified as Joecool4218) was an administrator to BLN.<ref name="fbi2009_01">[http://web.archive.org/web/20091212191232/https://www.northfulton.com/articles-c-2009-12-07-181049.114126-sub_international_child_porn_ring_tied_to_roswell_cumming.html International child porn ring tied to Roswell, Cumming (Internet Archive, 2009-12-12 @ 19:12:32] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>		In 2009, two senior BLN members were arrested by AFP, and three months later US authorities were informed that Joseph Gittings (later identified as Joecool4218) was an administrator to BLN.<ref name="fbi2009_01">[http://web.archive.org/web/20091212191232/https://www.northfulton.com/articles-c-2009-12-07-181049.114126-sub_international_child_porn_ring_tied_to_roswell_cumming.html International child porn ring tied to Roswell, Cumming (Internet Archive, 2009-12-12 @ 19:12:32] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>

	On November 24, 2009, a raid was conducted by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on the home of Gittings, arresting him for child pornography possession and distribution, and also arrested his boyfriend on separate charges. A day later, November 25, Dale Hodges was raided and arrested at his home on further child pornography charges, and Amir Ish-Hurwitz (LostBoy) was raided in his Netherlands home while Dutch authorities elsewhere seized the server for BLN resulting in the site's permanent closure. At the time of being closed, the site had over 70,000 members.<ref name="~~fbi2009_01~~" /><ref name="~~fbi2009_06~~" /> On the same day, Loren was raided and his site [[BoyZoom]] was closed to ensure members were safe.<ref name="bz_2009_01">[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1190351.htm I got this news from the BZ... (BoyChat) 2009-11-25 19:38:56 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref> On December 1, BoyZoom permanently shut down in fear of being closed down.<ref name="bz_2009_02">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1191168.htm Re: B/Z down to? (BoyChat) - 2009-12-1 12:00:46 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>		On November 24, 2009, a raid was conducted by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on the home of Gittings, arresting him for child pornography possession and distribution, and also arrested his boyfriend on separate charges. A day later, November 25, Dale Hodges was raided and arrested at his home on further child pornography charges, and Amir Ish-Hurwitz (LostBoy) was raided in his Netherlands home while Dutch authorities elsewhere seized the server for BLN resulting in the site's permanent closure. At the time of being closed, the site had over 70,000 members.<ref name="fbi2009_06" /><ref name="fbi2009_01" /> On the same day, Loren was raided and his site [[BoyZoom]] was closed to ensure members were safe.<ref name="bz_2009_01">[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1190351.htm I got this news from the BZ... (BoyChat) 2009-11-25 19:38:56 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref> On December 1, BoyZoom permanently shut down in fear of being closed down.<ref name="bz_2009_02">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1191168.htm Re: B/Z down to? (BoyChat) - 2009-12-1 12:00:46 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>

	The seizure and arrests were quick to spread amongst boylovers, with the first thread on BoyChat gaining many replies in the few days after being posted and numerous other threads appearing throughout the following few months.<ref name="boychat_2009_01">[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1190323.htm what happened to boylover.net (BoyChat) - 2009-11-25 17:14:50 EST]</ref> Through the next two years, details of the trials for Gittings and Hodges were sporadically posted by anonymous posters and occasionally on request.<ref name="bc_2010_01">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1206984.htm BLN's 'Joecool' pleads Not Guilty (BoyChat) - 2010-03-22 18:46:07 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref><ref name="bc_2010_02">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1211659.htm Re: Any updates on BLN trials? (BoyChat) - 2010-05-23 18:55:55 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>		The seizure and arrests were quick to spread amongst boylovers, with the first thread on BoyChat gaining many replies in the few days after being posted and numerous other threads appearing throughout the following few months.<ref name="boychat_2009_01">[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1190323.htm what happened to boylover.net (BoyChat) - 2009-11-25 17:14:50 EST]</ref> Through the next two years, details of the trials for Gittings and Hodges were sporadically posted by anonymous posters and occasionally on request.<ref name="bc_2010_01">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1206984.htm BLN's 'Joecool' pleads Not Guilty (BoyChat) - 2010-03-22 18:46:07 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref><ref name="bc_2010_02">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1211659.htm Re: Any updates on BLN trials? (BoyChat) - 2010-05-23 18:55:55 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>

FalseAlias: /* Operations Rescue, Naga, and Caledon */ 70k members improperly cited

2018-12-01T20:27:42Z

Operations Rescue, Naga, and Caledon: 70k members improperly cited

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:27, 1 December 2018
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	In 2009, two senior BLN members were arrested by AFP, and three months later US authorities were informed that Joseph Gittings (later identified as Joecool4218) was an administrator to BLN.<ref name="fbi2009_01">[http://web.archive.org/web/20091212191232/https://www.northfulton.com/articles-c-2009-12-07-181049.114126-sub_international_child_porn_ring_tied_to_roswell_cumming.html International child porn ring tied to Roswell, Cumming (Internet Archive, 2009-12-12 @ 19:12:32] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>		In 2009, two senior BLN members were arrested by AFP, and three months later US authorities were informed that Joseph Gittings (later identified as Joecool4218) was an administrator to BLN.<ref name="fbi2009_01">[http://web.archive.org/web/20091212191232/https://www.northfulton.com/articles-c-2009-12-07-181049.114126-sub_international_child_porn_ring_tied_to_roswell_cumming.html International child porn ring tied to Roswell, Cumming (Internet Archive, 2009-12-12 @ 19:12:32] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>

	On November 24, 2009, a raid was conducted by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on the home of Gittings, arresting him for child pornography possession and distribution, and also arrested his boyfriend on separate charges. A day later, November 25, Dale Hodges was raided and arrested at his home on further child pornography charges, and Amir Ish-Hurwitz (LostBoy) was raided in his Netherlands home while Dutch authorities elsewhere seized the server for BLN resulting in the site's permanent closure. At the time of being closed, the site had over 70,000 members.<ref name="fbi2009_01" /> On the same day, Loren was raided and his site [[BoyZoom]] was closed to ensure members were safe.<ref name="bz_2009_01">[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1190351.htm I got this news from the BZ... (BoyChat) 2009-11-25 19:38:56 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref> On December 1, BoyZoom permanently shut down in fear of being closed down.<ref name="bz_2009_02">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1191168.htm Re: B/Z down to? (BoyChat) - 2009-12-1 12:00:46 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>		On November 24, 2009, a raid was conducted by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on the home of Gittings, arresting him for child pornography possession and distribution, and also arrested his boyfriend on separate charges. A day later, November 25, Dale Hodges was raided and arrested at his home on further child pornography charges, and Amir Ish-Hurwitz (LostBoy) was raided in his Netherlands home while Dutch authorities elsewhere seized the server for BLN resulting in the site's permanent closure. At the time of being closed, the site had over 70,000 members.<ref name="fbi2009_01" /><ref name="fbi2009_06" /> On the same day, Loren was raided and his site [[BoyZoom]] was closed to ensure members were safe.<ref name="bz_2009_01">[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1190351.htm I got this news from the BZ... (BoyChat) 2009-11-25 19:38:56 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref> On December 1, BoyZoom permanently shut down in fear of being closed down.<ref name="bz_2009_02">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1191168.htm Re: B/Z down to? (BoyChat) - 2009-12-1 12:00:46 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>

	The seizure and arrests were quick to spread amongst boylovers, with the first thread on BoyChat gaining many replies in the few days after being posted and numerous other threads appearing throughout the following few months.<ref name="boychat_2009_01">[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1190323.htm what happened to boylover.net (BoyChat) - 2009-11-25 17:14:50 EST]</ref> Through the next two years, details of the trials for Gittings and Hodges were sporadically posted by anonymous posters and occasionally on request.<ref name="bc_2010_01">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1206984.htm BLN's 'Joecool' pleads Not Guilty (BoyChat) - 2010-03-22 18:46:07 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref><ref name="bc_2010_02">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1211659.htm Re: Any updates on BLN trials? (BoyChat) - 2010-05-23 18:55:55 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>		The seizure and arrests were quick to spread amongst boylovers, with the first thread on BoyChat gaining many replies in the few days after being posted and numerous other threads appearing throughout the following few months.<ref name="boychat_2009_01">[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1190323.htm what happened to boylover.net (BoyChat) - 2009-11-25 17:14:50 EST]</ref> Through the next two years, details of the trials for Gittings and Hodges were sporadically posted by anonymous posters and occasionally on request.<ref name="bc_2010_01">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1206984.htm BLN's 'Joecool' pleads Not Guilty (BoyChat) - 2010-03-22 18:46:07 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref><ref name="bc_2010_02">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1211659.htm Re: Any updates on BLN trials? (BoyChat) - 2010-05-23 18:55:55 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>

FalseAlias: /* Operations Rescue, Naga, and Caledon */ Forgot the standard 70k member count reference.

2018-12-01T20:26:02Z

Operations Rescue, Naga, and Caledon: Forgot the standard 70k member count reference.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:26, 1 December 2018
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	In 2009, two senior BLN members were arrested by AFP, and three months later US authorities were informed that Joseph Gittings (later identified as Joecool4218) was an administrator to BLN.<ref name="fbi2009_01">[http://web.archive.org/web/20091212191232/https://www.northfulton.com/articles-c-2009-12-07-181049.114126-sub_international_child_porn_ring_tied_to_roswell_cumming.html International child porn ring tied to Roswell, Cumming (Internet Archive, 2009-12-12 @ 19:12:32] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>		In 2009, two senior BLN members were arrested by AFP, and three months later US authorities were informed that Joseph Gittings (later identified as Joecool4218) was an administrator to BLN.<ref name="fbi2009_01">[http://web.archive.org/web/20091212191232/https://www.northfulton.com/articles-c-2009-12-07-181049.114126-sub_international_child_porn_ring_tied_to_roswell_cumming.html International child porn ring tied to Roswell, Cumming (Internet Archive, 2009-12-12 @ 19:12:32] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>

	On November 24, 2009, a raid was conducted by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on the home of Gittings, arresting him for child pornography possession and distribution, and also arrested his boyfriend on separate charges. A day later, November 25, Dale Hodges was raided and arrested at his home on further child pornography charges, and Amir Ish-Hurwitz (LostBoy) was raided in his Netherlands home while Dutch authorities elsewhere seized the server for BLN resulting in the site's permanent closure.<ref name="fbi2009_01" /> On the same day, Loren was raided and his site [[BoyZoom]] was closed to ensure members were safe.<ref name="bz_2009_01">[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1190351.htm I got this news from the BZ... (BoyChat) 2009-11-25 19:38:56 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref> On December 1, BoyZoom permanently shut down in fear of being closed down.<ref name="bz_2009_02">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1191168.htm Re: B/Z down to? (BoyChat) - 2009-12-1 12:00:46 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>		On November 24, 2009, a raid was conducted by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on the home of Gittings, arresting him for child pornography possession and distribution, and also arrested his boyfriend on separate charges. A day later, November 25, Dale Hodges was raided and arrested at his home on further child pornography charges, and Amir Ish-Hurwitz (LostBoy) was raided in his Netherlands home while Dutch authorities elsewhere seized the server for BLN resulting in the site's permanent closure. At the time of being closed, the site had over 70,000 members.<ref name="fbi2009_01" /> On the same day, Loren was raided and his site [[BoyZoom]] was closed to ensure members were safe.<ref name="bz_2009_01">[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1190351.htm I got this news from the BZ... (BoyChat) 2009-11-25 19:38:56 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref> On December 1, BoyZoom permanently shut down in fear of being closed down.<ref name="bz_2009_02">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1191168.htm Re: B/Z down to? (BoyChat) - 2009-12-1 12:00:46 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>

	The seizure and arrests were quick to spread amongst boylovers, with the first thread on BoyChat gaining many replies in the few days after being posted and numerous other threads appearing throughout the following few months.<ref name="boychat_2009_01">[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1190323.htm what happened to boylover.net (BoyChat) - 2009-11-25 17:14:50 EST]</ref> Through the next two years, details of the trials for Gittings and Hodges were sporadically posted by anonymous posters and occasionally on request.<ref name="bc_2010_01">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1206984.htm BLN's 'Joecool' pleads Not Guilty (BoyChat) - 2010-03-22 18:46:07 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref><ref name="bc_2010_02">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1211659.htm Re: Any updates on BLN trials? (BoyChat) - 2010-05-23 18:55:55 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>		The seizure and arrests were quick to spread amongst boylovers, with the first thread on BoyChat gaining many replies in the few days after being posted and numerous other threads appearing throughout the following few months.<ref name="boychat_2009_01">[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1190323.htm what happened to boylover.net (BoyChat) - 2009-11-25 17:14:50 EST]</ref> Through the next two years, details of the trials for Gittings and Hodges were sporadically posted by anonymous posters and occasionally on request.<ref name="bc_2010_01">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1206984.htm BLN's 'Joecool' pleads Not Guilty (BoyChat) - 2010-03-22 18:46:07 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref><ref name="bc_2010_02">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1211659.htm Re: Any updates on BLN trials? (BoyChat) - 2010-05-23 18:55:55 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>

FalseAlias: /* History */ Rewrite of subsection 3 including rename.

2018-12-01T20:20:53Z

History: Rewrite of subsection 3 including rename.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:20, 1 December 2018
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	BLN was back online by mid January 2005 with no compromised user data. Two weeks of data was lost due to the sudden nature of the downtime.<ref name="fbi2004_05">[http://web.archive.org/web/20050120024829/http://www.arleigh-burke.info:80/lostboy/ BoyLover.net Emergency News Page (Internet Archive, 2005-01-20 @ 02:48:29)] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>		BLN was back online by mid January 2005 with no compromised user data. Two weeks of data was lost due to the sudden nature of the downtime.<ref name="fbi2004_05">[http://web.archive.org/web/20050120024829/http://www.arleigh-burke.info:80/lostboy/ BoyLover.net Emergency News Page (Internet Archive, 2005-01-20 @ 02:48:29)] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>

	===~~2009 FBI seizure~~ and ~~shutdown~~===		===Operations Rescue, Naga, and Caledon===
	~~On November 25~~, 2009, ~~several raids were conducted against senior BLN administrators Joecool4218 (Joseph Gittings)~~ and ~~Jagdawg~~ (~~Dale Hodges~~) on ~~child pornography charges following information from~~ a ~~confidential FBI informant~~. ~~At the same time~~, ~~European authorities seized the Netherlands-based BLN server resulting in the permanent site shutdown~~.<ref name="~~fbi2009_01~~">[~~http://web.archive.org/web/20091212191232/~~https://www.~~northfulton~~.com/~~articles~~-c-~~2009~~-12-07-~~181049.114126~~-~~sub_international_child_porn_ring_tied_to_roswell_cumming.html International child porn~~ ring ~~tied to Roswell~~, ~~Cumming~~ (~~Internet Archive,~~ 2009-12-~~12 @ 19~~:12:32] Accessed ~~November 22~~, 2018.</ref>		Starting in 2007, The UK-based Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) started investigating BoyLover.net, and later that year infiltrated the website, in an operation which would become Operation Rescue in 2009 when it joined forces with Europol, Australia, US authorities, and various other countries. In 2008, the Australian Federal Police's new unit Child Protection Operations (CPO) began to take note of BoyLover.net after an investigation into two child sex tourists started to involve the website. Intelligence gathering on BoyLover.net quickly became a secondary focus, and soon Operation Caledon shifted focus. Initially, Operation Caledon was named Action Hercules.<ref name="aus2">[https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/250878-three-australians-arrested-in-child-sex-tourism-ring/ Three Australians Arrested In Child Sex Tourism Ring - Thailand News - Thailand Visa Forum by Thai Visa \| The Nation] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref><ref name="aus3">[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1192957.htm 'Operation Caledon' = 'Action Hercule (BoyChat) 2009-12-10 17:58:38 EST]</ref> Later in 2008 the AFP began to suggest a cooperative effort in investigating BoyLover.net.<ref>[http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/AUFPPlatypus/2013/6.pdf Australian Federal Police Platypus Magazine, page 27 -32] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>

	~~The FBI raid on BLN caused 4~~,~~200 intelligence reports to be generated~~ on ~~BLN members, with 670 suspected of downloading~~ child ~~pornography~~. ~~184 members were arrested on direct , 121 of which were~~ in ~~Britain~~.<ref name="~~fbi2009_02~~">[http://web.archive.org/web/~~20150429122901~~/https://www.~~nytimes~~.com/2011/04/26/~~world/europe/26iht~~-~~abuse26.html In Child Sex Case, More Facets Than Meet the Eye~~ (Internet Archive, ~~2015~~-04-29 @ 12:29:01)] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>		In February 2008, CEOP handed Thai authorities information on a potential child sex offences occuring in the country being committed by British citizens. This information was later used by Thai authorities in Operation Naga to arrest four men.<ref name="fbi2009_06">[http://web.archive.org/web/20181024094645/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2011/mar/16/global-paedophile-ring-smashed Police shut down global paedophile network in Operation Rescue \| Society \| The Guardian (Internet Archive, 2018-10-24 @ 09:46:45)] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>

	~~The investigation causing~~ the 2009 ~~raid~~ and ~~subsequent shutdown~~ was ~~codenamed Operation Rescue by Europol~~, ~~the European Union police agency~~, and ~~started in 2007 after the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre~~ (~~CEOP~~) of ~~Britain~~ and ~~Australian police independently identified boylover~~.~~net~~ and ~~infiltrated~~ the site ~~posing as members~~. ~~The investigation eventually involved more than 30 countries~~, and the ~~intelligence reports generated were distributed to each country~~. ~~Operation Naga~~, ~~a Thai operation from November 2008 which resulted~~ in ~~four suspects~~ being ~~arrested~~, ~~was formed based~~ on ~~British intelligence provided~~ to ~~Thai police~~ by ~~CEOP in February 2008~~.<ref name="~~fbi2009_06~~">[~~http~~://~~web~~.~~archive~~.org/~~web~~/~~20181024094645~~/https://www.~~theguardian~~.~~com~~/~~society~~/~~2011~~/~~mar~~/16/~~global~~-paedophile-~~ring~~-~~smashed Police shut down global~~ paedophile network ~~in Operation Rescue~~ \| ~~Society \| The Guardian (Internet Archive~~, 2018-10-~~24 @ 09:46:45)~~] Accessed ~~November 22~~, 2018.</ref>		Somewhere in 2008 or 2009, British authorities were able to take over the account of BLN British administrator. This gave them almost complete access to the site, allowing them to see all the information members entered into their profiles (including birth date, occupation, location, and more).<ref name="fbi2009_06" />

			In 2009, two senior BLN members were arrested by AFP, and three months later US authorities were informed that Joseph Gittings (later identified as Joecool4218) was an administrator to BLN.<ref name="fbi2009_01">[http://web.archive.org/web/20091212191232/https://www.northfulton.com/articles-c-2009-12-07-181049.114126-sub_international_child_porn_ring_tied_to_roswell_cumming.html International child porn ring tied to Roswell, Cumming (Internet Archive, 2009-12-12 @ 19:12:32] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>

			On November 24, 2009, a raid was conducted by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on the home of Gittings, arresting him for child pornography possession and distribution, and also arrested his boyfriend on separate charges. A day later, November 25, Dale Hodges was raided and arrested at his home on further child pornography charges, and Amir Ish-Hurwitz (LostBoy) was raided in his Netherlands home while Dutch authorities elsewhere seized the server for BLN resulting in the site's permanent closure.<ref name="fbi2009_01" /> On the same day, Loren was raided and his site [[BoyZoom]] was closed to ensure members were safe.<ref name="bz_2009_01">[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1190351.htm I got this news from the BZ... (BoyChat) 2009-11-25 19:38:56 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref> On December 1, BoyZoom permanently shut down in fear of being closed down.<ref name="bz_2009_02">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1191168.htm Re: B/Z down to? (BoyChat) - 2009-12-1 12:00:46 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>

			The seizure and arrests were quick to spread amongst boylovers, with the first thread on BoyChat gaining many replies in the few days after being posted and numerous other threads appearing throughout the following few months.<ref name="boychat_2009_01">[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1190323.htm what happened to boylover.net (BoyChat) - 2009-11-25 17:14:50 EST]</ref> Through the next two years, details of the trials for Gittings and Hodges were sporadically posted by anonymous posters and occasionally on request.<ref name="bc_2010_01">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1206984.htm BLN's 'Joecool' pleads Not Guilty (BoyChat) - 2010-03-22 18:46:07 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref><ref name="bc_2010_02">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1211659.htm Re: Any updates on BLN trials? (BoyChat) - 2010-05-23 18:55:55 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>

			Following the conviction of Hurwitz after his trial, Europol held a press conference and released details of Operation Rescue.<ref name="fbi2009_06" /> In total, at the time of the conference, 184 people had been arrested and 670 members suspected of committing criminal offences, despite claims from an Australian newspaper alleging over 200 arrests.<ref name="europol1">[https://www.europol.europa.eu/activities-services/europol-in-action/operations/operation-rescue Operation Rescue \| Europol] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref><ref name="aus_2011_01">[https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/aussies-part-of-internet-paedophile-network/news-story/68c97320f192887d4a1fc9521d61c525?sv=63ddcb015bf8fd67ec59d91a58951b1e Aussies part of internet paedophile network \| Daily Telegraph] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref> 121 memberes were British, and 31 were Australian.<ref name="fbi2009_06" /><ref name="aus_2011_01" /> A total of 4202 intelligence reports had been created on members of the deceased site and distributed to 33 different countries worldwide.<ref name="europol2">[https://www.europol.europa.eu/newsroom/news/more-200-children-identified-and-rescued-in-worldwide-police-operation More than 200 children identified and rescued in worldwide police operation \| Europol] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>

	Despite rumours that administration members may have used the BLN server to exchange child pornography, the Dutch Justice Ministry stated that the BLN server was clean.<ref name="bc2011_01">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1243846.htm CJAT news story on boylover.net - 'Servers clean' (BoyChat)] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>		Despite rumours that administration members may have used the BLN server to exchange child pornography, the Dutch Justice Ministry stated that the BLN server was clean.<ref name="bc2011_01">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1243846.htm CJAT news story on boylover.net - 'Servers clean' (BoyChat)] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:08, 1 March 2021
Line 1:		Line 1:
	'''BoyLover.net''' (other names: BLN, BLn, bl.net) was one of the world's largest online [[Boylove community\|boylover communities]], and was the largest [[online message board]] for [[boylover]]s. It was started in 2002, and shut down ~~by an FBI raid~~ in 2009.		'''BoyLover.net''' (other names: BLN, BLn, bl.net) was one of the world's largest online [[Boylove community\|boylover communities]], and was the largest [[online message board]] for [[boylover]]s. It was started in 2002, and shut down when the server was seized as part of Operation Rescue in 2009.

	Note: As of January 2021, the Wayback Machine has blacklisted searches for the boylover.net domain. Previously, these sources were accurate and displayed content accurate to what is being cited by each link.		Note: As of January 2021, the Wayback Machine has blacklisted searches for the boylover.net domain. Previously, these sources were accurate and displayed content accurate to what is being cited by each link.

	==History==		==History==
	BLN was started and run by LostBoy for its lifespan, starting on May 1, 2002, and ending November 25, 2009. Within a few months of its initial creation, the site underwent a major redesign and restructure after it "became a battle zone for interpersonal flaming, insult, and damage."<ref name="lf2009">[http://web.archive.org/web/20090514050607/http://www.boylover.net:80/reference/index.php?page=our-look-and-feel BL.net: The Reference Shelves - Our Look and Feel (Internet Archive, 2009-05-14 05:06:07)] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref> The redesign gave the board a friendlier feel and allowed it to better progress into a supportive environment. Language-~~specifics~~ forums, as well as a room for under 18s, were features of the site.		BLN was started and run by LostBoy for its lifespan, starting on May 1, 2002, and ending November 25, 2009. Within a few months of its initial creation, the site underwent a major redesign and restructure after it "became a battle zone for interpersonal flaming, insult, and damage."<ref name="lf2009">[http://web.archive.org/web/20090514050607/http://www.boylover.net:80/reference/index.php?page=our-look-and-feel BL.net: The Reference Shelves - Our Look and Feel (Internet Archive, 2009-05-14 05:06:07)] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref> The redesign gave the board a friendlier feel and allowed it to better progress into a supportive environment. Language-specific forums, as well as a room for under 18s, were features of the site.

	On July 27, 2003, BLN established BoyLoverLinks.net as "a worldwide directory for the internet boylove community."<ref name="hist2009">[http://web.archive.org/web/20090514050637/http://www.boylover.net:80/reference/index.php?page=the-board-s-history BL.net: The Reference Shelves - The Board's History (Internet Archive, 2009-05-14 @ 05:06:37)] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>		On July 27, 2003, BLN established BoyLoverLinks.net as a "worldwide directory for the internet boylove community."<ref name="hist2009">[http://web.archive.org/web/20090514050637/http://www.boylover.net:80/reference/index.php?page=the-board-s-history BL.net: The Reference Shelves - The Board's History (Internet Archive, 2009-05-14 @ 05:06:37)] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>

	===Server transfer, tech issues, and FBI seizure===		===Server transfer, tech issues, and FBI seizure===

	Somewhere in 2004, the BLN server was transferred from one location to another resulting in minor downtime. During this time an IP address was provided for users to visit the board with.<ref name="2004_001">[http://web.archive.org/web/20041114041452/http://www.arleigh-burke.info:80/lostboy/ BoyLover.net Emergency News Page (Internet Archive, 2004-11-14 @ 04:14:52)] Accessed November 23, 2018.</ref>		Somewhere in 2004, the BLN server was transferred from one location to another resulting in minor downtime. During this time an IP address was provided for users to visit the board with.<ref name="2004_001">[http://web.archive.org/web/20041114041452/http://www.arleigh-burke.info:80/lostboy/ BoyLover.net Emergency News Page (Internet Archive, 2004-11-14 @ 04:14:52)] Accessed November 23, 2018.</ref> The reason for the server relocation is unknown.

	On November 18~~, 2004~~, one of the BLN hard drives powering the site failed resulting in ~~further~~ unexpected downtime. The IP address access was ~~pulled~~ and the site, as well as BoyLoverLinks.net, ~~were~~ both offline~~. It was stressed that no data was lost due to the hard drive failure~~. Emails were also unable to be sent to either BLN or BoyLoverLinks, and LostBoy provided a gmail address.<ref name="2004_002">[http://web.archive.org/web/20041119021654/http://www.arleigh-burke.info:80/lostboy/ BoyLover.net Emergency News Page (Internet Archive, 2004-11-19 @ 02:16:54)] Accessed November 23, 2018.</ref>		On November 18, one of the BLN hard drives powering the site failed resulting in unexpected downtime. The IP address that previously granted access was disabled and the site, as well as BoyLoverLinks.net, both went offline. Emails were also unable to be sent to either BLN or BoyLoverLinks, and LostBoy provided a gmail address. During the incident, it was stressed that no data was lost due to the failure. <ref name="2004_002">[http://web.archive.org/web/20041119021654/http://www.arleigh-burke.info:80/lostboy/ BoyLover.net Emergency News Page (Internet Archive, 2004-11-19 @ 02:16:54)] Accessed November 23, 2018.</ref>

	Between November 18 and December 2~~, 2004~~, the FBI seized the server hosting BoyLover.net and BoyLoverLinks.net as part of an investigation into the websites regarding their legality. BLN Relations Admin Joecool4218 had informed users via [[BoyChat]] that BLN had been taken offline due to a pending FBI investigation in response to a comment by another BoyChat poster.<ref name="fbi_2004_01">[http://web.archive.org/web/20041119021654/http://www.arleigh-burke.info:80/lostboy/ BoyLover.net Emergency News Page (Internet Archive, 2004-11-19 @ 02:16:54] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref><ref name="fbi_2004_02">[http://web.archive.org/web/20041212053514/http://www.arleigh-burke.info:80/lostboy/ BoyLover.net Emergency News Page (Internet Archive, 2004-12-12 @ 05:35:14)] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref><ref name="fbi2004_03">[https://www.boychat.org/bcd/2004/878548.htm BC Digest - Re: Boylover.net servers seized by FBI (December 2, 2004, Joecool4218)] Accessed November 10, 2018.</ref> At the time of the seizure, the site had 15,000 registered users.<ref name="fbi2004_04">[https://www.boychat.org/bcd/2004/879737.htm BC Digest - BLnet and Individual Tragedies Lead to Progress? (December 6, 2004, Curtis)] Accessed November 10, 2018.</ref>		Between November 18 and December 2, the FBI seized the server hosting BoyLover.net and BoyLoverLinks.net as part of an investigation into the websites regarding their legality. BLN Relations Admin Joecool4218 had informed users via [[BoyChat]] that BLN had been taken offline due to a pending FBI investigation in response to a comment by another BoyChat poster.<ref name="fbi_2004_01">[http://web.archive.org/web/20041119021654/http://www.arleigh-burke.info:80/lostboy/ BoyLover.net Emergency News Page (Internet Archive, 2004-11-19 @ 02:16:54] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref><ref name="fbi_2004_02">[http://web.archive.org/web/20041212053514/http://www.arleigh-burke.info:80/lostboy/ BoyLover.net Emergency News Page (Internet Archive, 2004-12-12 @ 05:35:14)] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref><ref name="fbi2004_03">[https://www.boychat.org/bcd/2004/878548.htm BC Digest - Re: Boylover.net servers seized by FBI (December 2, 2004, Joecool4218)] Accessed November 10, 2018.</ref> At the time of the seizure, the site had 15,000 registered users.<ref name="fbi2004_04">[https://www.boychat.org/bcd/2004/879737.htm BC Digest - BLnet and Individual Tragedies Lead to Progress? (December 6, 2004, Curtis)] Accessed November 10, 2018.</ref> BLN was back online by mid-January 2005 with user data allegedly not compromised. Two weeks of data was lost due to the sudden nature of the incident.<ref name="fbi2004_05">[http://web.archive.org/web/20050120024829/http://www.arleigh-burke.info:80/lostboy/ BoyLover.net Emergency News Page (Internet Archive, 2005-01-20 @ 02:48:29)] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>

	BLN was back online by mid January 2005 with ~~no compromised~~ user data. Two weeks of data was lost due to the sudden nature of the ~~downtime~~.<ref name="fbi2004_05">[http://web.archive.org/web/20050120024829/http://www.arleigh-burke.info:80/lostboy/ BoyLover.net Emergency News Page (Internet Archive, 2005-01-20 @ 02:48:29)] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref>

	===Site shutdown===		===Site shutdown===
	''Main article: [[Operation Rescue]]''		''Main article: [[Operation Rescue]]''

	On November 25, 2009, a complex international investigation being run by Europol seized the BoyLover.net server and arrested some of the site's senior members of staff. Joecool4218 and JagDawg were arrested by ICE, and LostBoy was arrested by Dutch police. In New Zealand Loren was also arrested. [[BoyZoom]], Loren's site, was ~~shut down by other members of its administration~~ temporarily~~. On December 1~~, ~~BoyZoom~~ announced ~~its~~ permanent closure.<ref name="fbi2009_01">[http://web.archive.org/web/20091212191232/https://www.northfulton.com/articles-c-2009-12-07-181049.114126-sub_international_child_porn_ring_tied_to_roswell_cumming.html International child porn ring tied to Roswell, Cumming (Internet Archive, 2009-12-12 @ 19:12:32] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref><ref name="bz_2009_01">[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1190351.htm I got this news from the BZ... (BoyChat) 2009-11-25 19:38:56 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref><ref name="bz_2009_02">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1191168.htm Re: B/Z down to? (BoyChat) - 2009-12-1 12:00:46 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>		On November 25, 2009, a complex international investigation being run by Europol seized the BoyLover.net server and arrested some of the site's senior members of staff. Joecool4218 and JagDawg were arrested by ICE, and LostBoy was arrested by Dutch police. In New Zealand Loren was also raided but was never arrested. [[BoyZoom]], Loren's site, was temporarily closed while his access was removed, but the board announced permanent closure on December 1.<ref name="fbi2009_01">[http://web.archive.org/web/20091212191232/https://www.northfulton.com/articles-c-2009-12-07-181049.114126-sub_international_child_porn_ring_tied_to_roswell_cumming.html International child porn ring tied to Roswell, Cumming (Internet Archive, 2009-12-12 @ 19:12:32] Accessed November 22, 2018.</ref><ref name="bz_2009_01">[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1190351.htm I got this news from the BZ... (BoyChat) 2009-11-25 19:38:56 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref><ref name="bz_2009_02">[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1191168.htm Re: B/Z down to? (BoyChat) - 2009-12-1 12:00:46 EST] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>

	On March 2011, a press conference held by Europol following the conviction of LostBoy provided details of the three-year investigation named Operation Rescue. It was announced that there were 184 arrests and 670 suspects were identified and investigated. They also stated that, at the time of the conference, 4202 intelligence reports had been distributed to over 30 countries.<ref name="europol1">[https://www.europol.europa.eu/activities-services/europol-in-action/operations/operation-rescue Operation Rescue \| Europol] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>		On March 2011, a press conference held by Europol following the conviction of LostBoy provided details of the three-year investigation named Operation Rescue. It was announced that there were 184 arrests and 670 suspects were identified and investigated. They also stated that, at the time of the conference, 4202 intelligence reports had been distributed to over 30 countries.<ref name="europol1">[https://www.europol.europa.eu/activities-services/europol-in-action/operations/operation-rescue Operation Rescue \| Europol] Accessed December 1, 2018.</ref>