NEW YORK (PIX11) — A 30-year-old New Jersey man is raking in six figures playing a dangerous game of amateur vigilante to hunt down online child predators.

“I was one of the original predator catchers,” said Ramy, who declined to give his last name. “I loved the concept and didn’t see anyone do it on the East Coast, so I knew I could make an impact.”

Teachers, public officials, and military personnel are among more than 500 people Ramy and his team have caught since launching their operation a few years ago. The busts are recorded and then posted on his YouTube channel, Global Catches, often going viral.

There are approximately 500,000 child predators online daily, mostly targeting kids between 12 and 15 years old, according to the FBI and Child Crime Prevention and Safety Center. Nearly 90% of the advances are initiated through instant messaging apps.

“So many child predators roam the world, and not enough is being done about it,” said Ramy, a fan of the TV show “To Catch a Predator.” “Law enforcement is reactive once the child has been molested. We take proactive measures.”

Among his notable busts was Henry Meola, a then-33-year-old former New Jersey volunteer fire chief who allegedly tried to meet up with someone he thought was a young boy for sex in 2022. The sting was livestreamed to 5,000 people.

The same year, Anand Singh, a former Westchester County Board employee, was snagged using a dating app, Hily, allegedly to talk to one of Ramy’s staffers posing as a 14-year-old girl, according to federal court records. The case is ongoing, according to court documents.

Recently, the crew chased a suspect through Times Square. The dramatic pursuit was caught on video. Ramy said the man had a weapon and went after him several times.

“It can be anyone, and that’s what’s scary about the whole thing,” Ramy, an Egyptian native, said.

The operation requires a lot of legwork before the setup meetup can be arranged. First, many of Ramy’s team pose as kids on various dating sites before communicating with the suspects. Once it’s been established that the predator is looking to meet up for sex with a minor, they arrange the face-to-face.

The team’s work usually leads to a law enforcement investigation using phone calls, chat logs, and video to arrest and prosecute the suspect.

“We do it in a way that the evidence is undeniable. I would say it leads to an arrest 95% of the time,” Ramy said.

The team comprises about eight videographers, editors, and security personnel to facilitate the process, including running background checks on the targets. It costs five figures to run the stings and brings in six figures, Ramy said, declining to give a specific amount.

But it comes with dangerous risks, leading Ramy to learn MMA to defend himself if a bust turns physical.

Ramy has been attacked, received death threats, and even had his home invaded by strangers when an alleged predator leaked his address and photos of his house on Grindr, telling people he was waiting for them.

“How did you like that Sunday morning surprise?” Ramy said the predator posted.

“There’s a lot of risk involved, but it’s for a good cause. And I’m willing to jeopardize my life to bring awareness,” he added.

There are several civilian groups across the country going after child predators for online content, like Predator Poachers, Bikers Against Predators, and Dads Against Predators.

Last year, Dads Against Predators caught a Bronx prosecutor who was allegedly trying to meet up with a young boy. The 30-year-old prosecutor resigned from his position at the Bronx District Attorney’s Office days later, according to the New York Post.