Sweden to lead Europol task force on criminal recruitment of children
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Gangs are using coded language on social media and messaging apps to target and recruit minors into the criminal world with the promise of hefty cash returns, Europol warned.
Once recruited, the gangs use the children to carry out a wide range of "services", from drug trafficking to violent extortion and even "killings for a fee", the police said.
This means the senior gang members have to do less of the dirty work, shielding them from law enforcement.
The taskforce, named "GRIMM", will among other things co-ordinate with tech companies to spot recruitment efforts of children via social media and messaging platforms.
Led by Sweden, the taskforce brings together police from Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway.
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Meanwhile, Europol had advice for parents worried their children are being lured into the criminal underworld.
"Look out for the subtle signs, sudden behaviour changes, expensive new items with no explanation. If your child stops asking for money but seems to have it, that's not independence -- it's a red flag," said the police.
"This isn't about catching the kids out -- it's about pulling them back, before organised crime pulls them in."
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