France Investigates Reappearance of Controversial Website Linked to Sexual Crimes
In a significant development, France has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the resurgence of a controversial website initially tied to notorious sex criminal Dominique Pelicot. Prosecutors confirmed that the French-language platform, known as Coco, facilitated the recruitment of individuals to commit heinous acts, including the rape of Pelicot’s heavily sedated wife.
Authorities categorize the website as a hub for various crimes, including child sexual abuse, rape, and murder. Coco, which was registered outside of France, was effectively shut down in June 2024. However, it has resurfaced under the moniker “Cocoland,” complete with a coconut-themed interface, posing fresh challenges for law enforcement.
The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office has officially opened an investigation into this website’s new iteration, according to reports. “The reopening of the Coco site is a real slap in the face to the promise of protection we’ve made,” stated Sarah el Hairy, France’s Commissioner for Children. She expressed concerns over how such platforms exploit loopholes to target vulnerable individuals, primarily children.
El Hairy emphasized: “We will track them down, we will hound them, we will give them no respite.” Her alarm was first raised in mid-April, signaling growing public and governmental concern about the implications of such websites.
Prior to the emergence of Cocoland, investigations surrounding the original Coco platform were reportedly already well underway. Isaac Steidl, the founder and manager of the Coco website, faced serious charges in January 2025, including complicity in drug trafficking, possession and distribution of child pornography, online corruption of minors, and criminal conspiracy. Steidl has denied all accusations, and his lawyer claims he has no connection to the recently relaunched website.
The Coco platform has played a pivotal role in multiple significant criminal cases, notably the high-profile Pelicot trial. In 2024, Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison for aggravated rape after orchestrating a series of attacks on his wife, Gisele Pelicot, drugging her and inviting strangers into their home between 2011 and 2020. Most alarmingly, he utilized the website’s chatroom, dubbed “À son insu” (literally “Without his/her knowledge”), to communicate with potential attackers.
In light of these events, two prominent French women’s rights organizations have urged authorities to broaden their investigations into similar platforms. This appeal was amplified following a CNN report detailing so-called “Rape Academy” sites where men exchange gruesome tips on drugging and raping partners, often filming the acts.
The Women’s Foundation and the group M’endors pas (Don’t Put Me to Sleep)—co-founded by Gisele Pelicot’s daughter, Caroline Darian—have argued that recent cases, including that of Gisele Pelicot, underline the likelihood of French users engaging on such sites, exacerbating the risk for victims within France.
“These are not isolated episodes but organized crimes by fully-fledged communities that encourage and structure such violence,” the groups asserted.
The resurfacing of the Cocoland website underscores an urgent need for coordinated efforts between law enforcement and advocacy groups to combat online platforms that perpetuate sexual violence and exploitation. As investigations continue, the safety and protection of vulnerable individuals—especially children—remain at the forefront of this national dialogue.
In conclusion, the French government’s ongoing efforts reflect a critical stance against such abhorrent activities, aiming to dismantle networks that enable violence and exploitation to fester online. The situation remains fluid, and the outcome of these investigations will be crucial in setting future precedents for the legal framework surrounding online safety in France.
