Europol has launched a new initiative to address the growing issue of youth involvement in criminal groups. The Operational Taskforce (OTF) GRIMM, led by Sweden, includes law enforcement from Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway. This task force focuses on combating “violence-as-a-service” groups, which recruit young individuals to carry out crimes online and offline for their clients. These crimes include cyberattacks, drug trafficking, violent extortion, and even murder, often conducted at the instruction of criminal networks.
Young people are targeted through social media and messaging platforms where criminals use coded language, memes, and gamified tasks to engage them.
Europol states that these gangs appeal to youths by promising a sense of belonging, making them vulnerable to exploitation. These networks shield themselves by using youngsters, offering an extra layer of protection from law enforcement. The goal is to create a force of young operatives who unknowingly contribute to the illegal activities of the networks.
OTF GRIMM’s objectives are multifaceted.
The task force aims to enhance intelligence sharing and joint investigations across national borders, providing a coordinated approach to combat these crimes. It also seeks to gain insight into the recruitment tactics and financial strategies of violence-as-a-service networks. The task force will also work with tech companies to better detect and prevent recruitment through social media platforms.
Criminal organizations have long targeted young people, especially given high unemployment and living costs. Many of these youths are lured with promises of a glamorous lifestyle. Studies show that up to half of teenagers aged 16-19 in the EU engage in online criminal activities, including money laundering, hate speech, and digital piracy. This alarming trend has prompted Europol to strengthen efforts to prevent youth exploitation in organized crime.
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