Europol announced on Tuesday that it is launching a multinational collaboration to tackle the growing problem of gangs recruiting children to commit violent crimes, including murder.
According to Europol, gangs are using coded language on social media and messaging apps to target and recruit minors, often luring them with promises of large sums of money. Once recruited, these children are exploited for a range of illegal “services,” from drug trafficking to violent extortion, and even contract killings.
“These tactics allow senior gang members to avoid investigation by delegating the most severe tasks to youths.”
Operation GRIMM & Tech Partnerships
The coordinated operation, named “GRIMM,” will also partner with tech companies to identify recruitment attempts through digital platforms.
Led by Sweden, the operation includes Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway.
Advice to Parents
At the same time, Europol has issued guidance for parents who suspect their children might be drawn into criminal circles:
“Be alert to hidden signs, sudden behavioral changes, or unexplained expensive items. If your child no longer asks for money but seems to have it, that’s not independence — it’s a red flag,” said Europol.
“The goal is not to punish children, but to bring them back before organized crime takes them away.”
