Children are being recruited as criminals at an ‘industrial scale’: Europol
Children Recruited as Criminals on an Industrial Scale: Europol's Concern
Children are being recruited as criminals - Last year, a tragic incident in Stockholm, Sweden, highlighted a growing issue: the systematic recruitment of minors into criminal activities. Anneli Berg, a mother, described the moment her 16-year-old son Rio vanished after leaving the gym with friends. “It’s still hard to believe. Sometimes I feel like I’m dreaming, like a nightmare,” she recalled in an interview with ABC News. The attack, which occurred in March 2025, left Rio dead and his peers targeted by a hooded stranger wielding a gun.
Europol's Response to the Trend
Top European law enforcement officials have identified Rio’s death as part of a disturbing pattern. Criminal networks are increasingly using digital platforms to groom teenagers as young as 13 for violent acts, turning them into foot soldiers. Catherine De Bolle, former Europol executive director, likened this to a “cheap build-your-own contract killer scheme.” She emphasized that the phenomenon is now occurring on an “industrial scale,” driven by advancements in technology and the widespread presence of youth online.
“Now, with the usage of artificial intelligence, with the new technology, and with the fact that so many youngsters are on digital platforms, it's heaven for criminal networks,” De Bolle stated. “This is really worrying us.”
The Spread of the Trend
Europol investigators noted that the recruitment of young perpetrators for violence is no longer confined to physical spaces. Instead, it thrives in the digital realm, where criminal gangs operate without borders. Andy Kraag, the head of Europol’s Serious and Organised Crime Centre, warned that the trend is “spreading like wildfire.”
“And I will bet you it will not stop at the borders of Europe,” Kraag added.
Investigations and Arrests
Europol has established the Grimm Task Force to address this crisis, named after the Brothers Grimm’s cautionary tales. The group has already made 299 arrests across Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. Over 15,000 online accounts linked to the phenomenon have been uncovered, with more than 1,500 individuals connected to these crimes.
John Cohen, a former U.S. intelligence official and ABC News contributor, noted that criminal organizations have fully embraced the internet’s potential. “Criminal gangs across the board have fully embraced the power of the internet” to execute their plans, he said, underscoring the global reach of this issue.
Related: Online Extremism and Legislative Action
As extremists push teens toward self-harm, lawmakers are exploring new measures to combat the trend. The investigation into “violence as a service” reveals how geography is no longer a barrier—crimes are now outsourced and facilitated by a constantly connected world.