Europol has reported 193 arrests following a six-month operation aimed at dismantling organised groups that offer violence-as-a-service. The investigation began in April 2025 and focused on networks that use online channels to recruit individuals for acts of intimidation and violence. Europol stated that suspects were detained across several European countries and that the arrests involved people in different roles within the networks. These roles included those who carried out violent acts, individuals who recruited participants, and others who planned or coordinated the activity.
Authorities said the operation disrupted networks that relied on encrypted communication services and social platforms to assign tasks and maintain contact with participants. Europol reported that incidents under investigation included an attempted murder in Tamm in Germany and a shooting in Oosterhout in the Netherlands. In Spain, police arrested several suspects, including a minor, who were accused of planning a murder. Officers also seized firearms and ammunition, which they said may have been intended for future attacks.
Operational Taskforce Grimm leads the investigation. It is composed of specialists from Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Europol staff and representatives from online service providers also take part. Officials said cross-border cooperation and shared intelligence have been crucial in identifying recruitment methods and tracing communication patterns used by the networks.
Europol stated that the activity uncovered by the task force shows how criminal groups blend online recruitment with real-world violence. Analysts said the findings demonstrate that organisations capable of carrying out complex acts of violence can emerge through relatively simple online contact points. They noted that detecting such activity requires close cooperation between national authorities and regular monitoring of online communication channels.
The agency also emphasised the role of prevention. It said that networks often target young or vulnerable individuals by offering payment or status in exchange for participation in violent acts. Europol added that working with service providers helps limit the use of online platforms for recruitment or coordination. Officials said that the arrests are an important step, but that the threat remains active.
Police expect further investigative work to continue. Authorities said that the aim of the task force is not only to stop individual attacks but also to disrupt the structures that support violence-as-a-service activity. They added that efforts will continue to safeguard the public by reducing the ability of organised groups to exploit online services for violent purposes.