A Europol report has shed light on a growing epidemic: criminal gangs in Europe are targeting minors through social media, luring them into illegal activities with promises of fast money.
Shockingly, some are offered as much as €20,000 to commit murders. These gangs use emotional manipulation, encrypted messaging apps, and even “gamification” techniques to recruit teens for violent crimes and drug trafficking.
Minors, particularly those aged 13 to 17, are now entangled in over 70% of criminal markets, from cybercrime to smuggling and theft. Recruiters mask their schemes as legitimate opportunities, using platforms like Snapchat and WhatsApp to approach potential recruits. They speak in coded language, employing emojis and slang to conceal their intentions. By framing crimes as “missions” or “challenges,” gangs draw parallels to video games, making these tasks feel trivial while rewarding participation with cash or status.
Disturbingly, these minors often serve as couriers, street dealers, or even assassins. In Sweden, where the crisis is especially severe, youth involvement in brutal crimes is making headlines. Just last month in Malmö, a teenager allegedly killed a man in a case of mistaken identity amid gang warfare. Weapons found at the scene included pistols, a Kalashnikov rifle, and grenades.
The problem isn’t confined to one country. In Germany, an 11-year-old Moroccan boy, too young to face prosecution, led a gang responsible for more than 70 burglaries. Meanwhile, in Stockholm earlier this year, a Polish father was killed in front of his son by a teen gang member, showcasing the reckless violence these networks encourage.
Gangs exploit the vulnerabilities of young recruits, grooming them to feel loyalty and trust while shielding their identities through constant movement between regions. Their clean records make them ideal pawns in these operations, while encrypted apps help orchestrate crimes remotely, leaving law enforcement struggling to keep up.
This alarming trend underscores the growing danger of organized crime’s digital evolution and its devastating impact on vulnerable youth across Europe.
