A 27-year-old Maryborough man has been charged with 596 child abuse-related offences. (ABC News: Lucas Hill)

A Queensland man has been charged with 596 child abuse-related offences after he allegedly “groomed, coerced and threatened” hundreds of children.

Ethan Burns-Dederer, 27, from Maryborough, was allegedly found in possession of 23,000 videos and images relating to his offending, involving 459 victims in Australia and overseas.

Crime Command Detective Acting Chief Superintendent Denzil Clark said Queensland Police is working with national and international specialists to identify the victims.

“Police will allege the man recorded his interactions with his victims and had them send him sexual explicit material,” he said.

“This is extremely concerning and disturbing offending.”

Mr Burns-Dederer’s charges include 244 counts of producing child abuse material for use through a carriage service.

He has also been charged with 163 counts of using a carriage service to procure persons under 16 years of age.

He faces a further 87 counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child using a carriage service.

Acting Chief Superintendent Clark said police will allege Mr Burns-Dederer offended against primarily male children aged five to 15 years old.

“We’ve identified 360 victims to date,” he alleged.

“We are still working with our international contacts to finalise those contacts and ensure they are provided appropriate support.”

He also said alleged victims were identified across 15 countries and that the matter had been extremely “disturbing and distressing” for the young people and their families.

Social media, gaming platforms allegedly used to target children

Police will allege Mr Burns-Dederer targeted his victims through “popular social media and gaming platforms”.

The offending allegedly occurred between 2018 and 2025 before his arrest in February last year.

“Police will allege the man created multiple online fake profiles, both of male and females, and that he groomed, coerced and threatened young people into sending him sexually explicit material,” he said.

Police allege Mr Burns-Dederer recorded the interactions and saved them into pre-named folders.

“They are multiple online offences primarily with him producing recording and interacting with children online,” he said.

“This arrest is the result of highly coordinated and extensive investigations by specialists here in Queensland.”

Mr Burns-Dederer is due to appear in court.

Investigations are continuing and anyone with information is urged to contact police.