Alleged child exploitation scheme in Qld

Capping a three month investigation, police initially arrested three men - aged 19, 22 and 49 - when they raided a Bakers Creek residence near Mackay.

A 21-year-old man ran away from the residence but surrendered himself to police on Friday.

The arrests were part of Mackay's Child Protection and Investigation Unit's Operation Westmeath, sparked by an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers in early January.

"Once the information was received it was treated extremely seriously," Detective Inspector Tom Armitt told reporters on Friday.

Police will allege the men used social media to contact and groom victims over two years "to produce and procure child exploitation material".

"What I will say to all parents out there is please be aware of the activity your children do online," Det Insp Armitt said.

"Be mindful of their activities ... using online applications. What may appear on the surface as friendly and charming banter may have a sinister element to it and people really need to be aware of that."

He said four children were involved in the alleged exploitation operation "so far".

"We will be continuing our investigation and attempting to identify all people involved," he said.

"However with the use of social media sometimes whether those other people exist in other jurisdictions or internationally we don't know."

The four men were charged with a total of 35 offences including rape, unlawful carnal knowledge, indecent treatment of a child, permitting abuse of children on premises, grooming, involving a child in the making of exploitation material, possession of child exploitation material, deprivation of liberty and breach of privacy.

They have been refused bail and will appear in a Mackay court on Monday.

Police are undergoing forensic testing on several digital devices seized from the residence.

Anyone with information should contact police.