Europol revealed the first results of Project Compass, a year-long initiative targeting “The Com” — a decentralised nihilistic extremist network of teenagers and young adults linked to ransomware attacks against UK retailers (Marks & Spencer, Co-op, Harrods), CSAM production, extortion and physical violence. Led by Europol’s European Counter Terrorism Centre and involving 28 countries including all Five Eyes nations, the project achieved 30 arrests, 179 suspects identified and 62 victims located since January 2025. The Com operates across social media, gaming platforms and streaming services, and contains distinct sub-groups: Cyber Com (ransomware), Offline Com (physical violence) and (S)extortion Com (CSAM/blackmail). The 764 sub-group is specifically identified for grooming minors and producing CSAM.
Original source: Help Net Security / Europol
Retrieved: 2026-03-20 | Language: EN | Reading time: 4 min read