THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A multinational law enforcement operation targeting criminal networks that offer violence as a paid service has resulted in 280 arrests during its inaugural year, according to a Wednesday announcement from Europol, the European Union’s police agency.
The apprehensions highlight a disturbing pattern emerging throughout Europe where criminals use social media platforms and messaging applications to recruit individuals — often young people — to commit violent acts ranging from physical assaults to homicides, creating what officials describe as a dangerous version of the gig economy.
“Violence is no longer confined to isolated acts or local dynamics. It is increasingly offered as a service: accessible, scalable and driven by online ecosystems that enable recruitment, coordination, and execution across borders,” Europol said in a statement.
The specialized task force was established last year with participation from law enforcement agencies across Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. During its first year of operations, the team identified more than 1,400 individuals connected to violence-for-hire schemes.
Notable cases include the detention of a Dutch citizen allegedly serving as an escape driver for two juveniles suspected of conducting multiple bombings in Germany during July and August 2025. Additionally, Swedish authorities arrested a minor in January for suspected participation in a shooting incident near a correctional facility in Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands.
Europol has also published information on its European most-wanted database regarding three men sought for their alleged participation in violence-as-a-service operations — two Swedish nationals and one German citizen. These individuals face charges related to murder, narcotics trafficking, and financial crimes.
