Crackdown on Violence-for-Hire

Europol’s Taskforce GRIMM has arrested 193 individuals over six months in a major operation across Europe to dismantle networks involved in violence-as-a-service (VaaS). This initiative marks a significant step in combatting the outsourcing of violent crimes, which has increasingly involved young, inexperienced individuals.

Launched in April 2025, the Operational Taskforce (OTF) GRIMM has focused on addressing the alarming trend where criminals hire others to commit violent acts ranging from intimidation to murder. The taskforce’s efforts have seen the arrest of 63 perpetrators who were directly involved in violent crimes, 40 enablers, and 84 recruiters who exploited vulnerable youth.

The operation, which includes collaboration with specialized investigators from multiple European countries and online service providers, targets the recruitment processes primarily conducted via social media platforms. The taskforce has also taken down key instigators, including five high-value targets, significantly disrupting the operation of these criminal networks.

Looking ahead, OTF GRIMM plans to enhance cross-border intelligence sharing and strengthen cooperation with tech companies to prevent the exploitation of young people and block criminal activities initiated on social media. This ongoing battle against VaaS underscores the need for continued vigilance and international cooperation to safeguard communities across Europe.