Europol Warns of Criminal Networks Using Social Media to Recruit Minors for Drug Trafficking and Violent Crime

Europol has issued a stark warning regarding the growing trend of criminal networks turning to social media and encrypted messaging apps to lure minors into drug trafficking and violent criminal activities. According to a recent intelligence notification from the EU law enforcement agency, these platforms, widely used by young people, are being exploited to make illegal work appear easy, appealing, and low-risk, offering minors quick access to "easy money."

Europol reports that children between the ages of 13 and 17 are now playing increasingly prominent roles in the distribution of cocaine and cannabis. This is particularly concerning for what are known as “rip-off” activities, which involve transporting drugs to a safe location after arrival. “The use of minors for rip-off activities was previously rare to non-existent, but now comprises nearly 10% of cases in some countries,” Europol stated. It is also noted that these young operatives are frequently moved across different regions or cities, reducing their visibility to local law enforcement and minimizing their chances of arrest.

Criminals are leveraging encrypted apps and social media that offer minimal traceability, allowing them to operate within anonymous group chats and use self-destructing messages. According to Europol, “this secrecy poses challenges for law enforcement, as messages can vanish without a digital footprint,” complicating the monitoring and interception of these activities.

To attract young recruits, recruiters employ coded language and “gamification” techniques, transforming criminal tasks into challenges or games to enhance engagement and excitement. Europol highlights that financial rewards can be substantial, with some minors reportedly offered up to €20,000 to commit violent crimes, including contract killings.

These young recruits generally receive instructions remotely from coordinators, who remain at a distance and out of sight from their operations, which limits the minor’s knowledge of the broader criminal network. This setup makes young recruits especially attractive to organized crime groups as low-risk operatives. Their lack of a criminal history and limited awareness of the network also reduce the chances of them providing critical intelligence if apprehended.

By fLEXI tEAM