50,000 Internet Predators?

"It has been estimated that, at any given time, 50,000 predators are on the Internet prowling for children."

That's the claim made by Attorney General Alberto Gonzales during the launch of the Justice Department’s Project Safe Childhood. Jason McLure has written an article for Legal Times where he tracks down the source of that 50,000 figure. It turns out the DOJ got it from TV.

The AG’s press secretary has the answer, though: "That number is actually pulled from [NBC newsmagazine] 'Dateline' and other media outlets," says Tasia Scolinos via e-mail.

Chris Hansen from Dateline, reportedly says the number comes from unnamed "law enforcement officials". But the former FBI agent he used to confirm the figure says it may just be a "Goldilocks number".