A Queensland Police sting has unearthed an alleged paedophile who thought he was meeting a young girl for sex, with parents urged to be on high alert for online predators.

The 71-year-old man went to a Brisbane address on Thursday to meet what he believed was a school-aged girl but was instead greeted by detectives from the force’s child abuse and sexual crime group unit, Argos.

Police allege the man sent photographs of himself naked and attempted to groom the “child” over an online chat forum, leading to him trying to meet up for sex.

It is alleged he brought gifts with him to the commercial address and child exploitation material was found when his Redbank Plains home was raided.

He has been charged with a range of child sex offences, including two counts of grooming a child under 16 and possessing child exploitation material.

The man was bailed on strict conditions to reappear in court on June 5.

Detective Inspector Glen Donaldson warned predators the next “child” they message could be an undercover detective and said the arrest was a reminder to parents of the dangers kids can face online.

“Young people need to believe that nothing is too embarrassing or serious that they can’t come to you for support, advice or to report behaviour that makes them uncomfortable,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

“Supervision and communication are crucial to prevention – have the conversation with your children about how to stay safe online and the dangers of engaging with online ‘friends’ who they have never met face-to-face.”

By Callum Godde