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Teens used encrypted chats to recruit for 'violence as a service' murder ring, Europol says
Seven people, including a 14-year-old, have been arrested or surrendered to Danish authorities after allegedly using encrypted messaging apps to hire other teenagers for contract killings in what Europol calls a "violence-as-a-service" operation.
All of those arrested or surrendered are between the ages of 14 and 26. This includes two 18-year-old men cuffed in Western Sweden and suspected of actively recruiting youngsters to commit targeted killings in Denmark and Sweden. Other suspects, according to law enforcement, provided weapons, ammunition, and safe houses for the hitmen.
The arrests follow "multiple" investigations into attempted murders ordered via encrypted chat services, including one on May 7 in Kokkedal, Denmark, according to Europol.
This is part of Europol's Operational Taskforce GRIMM, which aims to stop the growing use of encrypted services to coordinate contract killings across Europe, dubbed "violence-as-a-service" by the international cops.
All of those arrested or surrendered are between the ages of 14 and 26. This includes two 18-year-old men cuffed in Western Sweden and suspected of actively recruiting youngsters to commit targeted killings in Denmark and Sweden. Other suspects, according to law enforcement, provided weapons, ammunition, and safe houses for the hitmen.
The arrests follow "multiple" investigations into attempted murders ordered via encrypted chat services, including one on May 7 in Kokkedal, Denmark, according to Europol.
This is part of Europol's Operational Taskforce GRIMM, which aims to stop the growing use of encrypted services to coordinate contract killings across Europe, dubbed "violence-as-a-service" by the international cops.
https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/21/teen_arrested_murder_for_hire/