A 24-year-old man from Markham is facing serious charges following an online child luring investigation conducted by the Peel Regional Police. The investigation, which started in December 2025, centered around an individual who was allegedly attempting to lure youths under the age of 16 using various social media platforms.
The police reported that the accused, identified as Sugin Mohanathas, allegedly posed as an underage male during online interactions with his victims. This tactic was used to solicit explicit images from these young individuals, which were subsequently employed to extort them for sexual purposes. Police say this poses significant risks to the safety and well-being of minors in the digital space.
Mohanathas was said to have utilized the alias "Keshawn" throughout his online chats with victims. He reportedly created multiple social media accounts to facilitate his criminal activities. Among these accounts were usernames on popular platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram. The specific usernames identified by investigators include "nicovalentino23" on Snapchat and "Forgiveme1236" on Instagram, which highlights the lengths he went to in order to hide his true identity and motive.
On March 26, 2026, law enforcement officials apprehended Mohanathas and charged him with several serious offenses. The charges include luring a child under 18, luring a child under 16, making sexually explicit material available to persons under 16, extortion, as well as possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material. These charges reflect the severity of the alleged actions and underline the police's commitment to protecting children from online predators.
Investigators are concerned that there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward. As a result, they are actively encouraging anyone who might believe they have been targeted by Mohanathas to reach out to law enforcement. This call for action is part of a broader strategy to ensure the safety of minors and to hold offenders accountable for their criminal behaviors.
The case emphasizes the critical issues surrounding online safety and the vulnerabilities of young individuals engaging on social media platforms. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of educating youth about online interactions and the potential dangers they might face in cyberspace. As the investigation continues, the police are working diligently to uncover more information and provide support to any affected parties.
