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What is “Violence as a Service”?

Violence, intimidation, and even contract killings are no longer outsourced to seasoned enforcers – instead, young people are becoming the face of a dangerous new trend: Violence as a Service (VaaS).

Criminal groups across Europe are increasingly offering violence like it’s a business. Known as VaaS — Violence as a Service — this model allows individuals or gangs to pay for acts of aggression: threats, beatings, even murders. These crimes are often carried out by people with no personal ties to the victim — and disturbingly often, by minors.

To fight back, eight European countries have joined forces in a special task force called OTF GRIMM, led by Sweden and supported by Europol. Other members include Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway. Europol provides coordination, intelligence sharing, and data analysis to support their mission.

Teens targeted: crime’s youngest recruits

Recruiting minors into crime isn’t new — but the scale, organisation, and purpose behind it have drastically evolved. According to the EU SOCTA 2025 report, young people are now central to criminal strategies. Why? Because minors are easier to manipulate, often face lighter legal consequences, and raise fewer red flags with law enforcement.

This isn’t random — it’s strategic. Recruiters lure teenagers with promises of quick money, designer clothes, flashy lifestyles, and a sense of belonging. Social media and encrypted messaging apps play a huge role. Some gangs even use memes and gaming language to “gamify” tasks — making real-world violence feel like a mission in a video game.

Crime without borders

Today’s criminal operations are international and anonymous. Teens might not even know who hired them — or why. A 16-year-old in one country could unknowingly be working for a gang in another, carrying out orders sent via chat apps or game platforms.

These young recruits aren’t just asked to commit violent acts. Many are drawn into cybercrime, drug trafficking, extortion, or digital blackmail. And the damage goes far beyond the physical. Many fall into emotional and financial dependency on their recruiters — blurring the line between victim and perpetrator.

Europol’s strategic response

The formation of the OTF GRIMM is expected to be a turning point in the fight against the new crime model.

The group has several clearly defined tasks. First and foremost, it intends to coordinate investigative activities between countries to efficiently exchange information and jointly conduct investigations. It also aims to accurately map recruitment methods, communication channels and ways of financing crimes.

A key task of the OTF GRIMM will also be to identify providers of criminal “services” – i.e., individuals and structures that professionally broker the commission of violence.

It will be important to work with technology companies, especially those managing social media platforms, to identify and block the mechanisms used for recruitment.

Europol, being the central hub of the operation, provides analytical tools, enables ongoing coordination of activities and conducts joint investigations. Already, an official intelligence notice has been published that dissects the entire recruitment system: from the use of coded language, to the lifestyles promoted on social media, to the use of gaming and instant messaging apps.

How can we protect young people?

While Europol focuses on catching criminals, prevention is just as critical. Parents, teachers, and guardians all have a role to play. Warning signs might include:

  • Sudden changes in behavior or attitude
  • Expensive items a young person shouldn’t be able to afford
  • Loss of interest in asking for pocket money

Europol isn’t interested in punishing kids — it wants to pull them out before it’s too late. A guide for families has been published, outlining early warning signs and steps to take. It’s a tool designed to start the conversation — and, if needed, intervene before serious harm is done.

What’s next?

OTF GRIMM is still in its early stages, but the threat is real and growing. The cross-border nature of these crimes means no country can tackle it alone. This new wave of organized crime is highly professional, tech-savvy, and increasingly focused on youth.

That’s why Europe’s response must be equally determined — fast, united, and future-focused. The safety of thousands of young people may depend on it.

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