Europol
The European Union’s law enforcement agency Europol on Thursday issued a warning about criminal networks using cyber grooming to incite terrorist acts and violence.
According to a report by the agency,the groups target vulnerable children and young people in particular, and force them into extreme acts of violence.
The groups are like cults, as they are organised around charismatic leaders and use deception and other means to get their followers to comply and become dependent on the group.
Members have to share videos showing extreme violence or sex, the agency said, adding that the more content the member’s share, the higher they rank in the group.
“These criminal or violent extremist groups compete against each other to share the most violent content,” it said.
“The dissemination of extreme content serves as a vessel to desensitise vulnerable people, with the purpose of breaking societal norms and normalising violence to corrupt minors and groom them towards future violence,” Europol said in a statement from its headquarters in The Hague.
It said EU authorities had identified cases where members caused serious injuries and committed murders.
These acts were often linked to communities with violent right-wing extremist connections.
“Their leaders advocate for the collapse of modern society through acts of terror, chaos, and violence, spreading ideologies that inspire mass shootings, bombings and other acts of terrorism,” Europol said.
Europol said victims are sought on gaming platforms, streaming services or social media.
‘The most preferred targets are particularly vulnerable minors between 8 and 17 years old especially LGBTQ+, racial minorities and those struggling with mental health issues, such as depression and suicidal ideation,” the Europol statement said.
In some cases, perpetrators infiltrated online support groups to identify and recruit vulnerable young people, it said. (dpa)
