Child Recruitment in Organized Crime Through Video Games
November 21, 2025
The head of Europol warns that criminal organizations are recruiting children through video games, turning them into weapons. These groups pose a significant threat to the EU, targeting the most vulnerable members of society. There are incidents where children are compelled to commit violence on demand, including murders. Criminals approach children with seemingly innocent conversations and then blackmail or bribe the victims. Europol has recorded numerous cases of violence related to this recruitment.