Europol Targets The Com's Ransomware and Extortion Networks in Global Law Enforcement Operation

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Law Enforcement Cracks Down on The Com’s Ransomware and Extortion Operations

A year-long investigation by law enforcement agencies across 28 countries has led to the disruption of a decentralized collective known as The Com, which has been linked to high-profile ransomware attacks, financial extortion, and the coercion of vulnerable children.

Project Compass

The operation, dubbed Project Compass, has resulted in 30 arrests and the identification of 179 perpetrators since its launch in January 2025.

The Com’s Structure and Operations

The Com operates across various online platforms, including social media, messaging apps, online gaming environments, and music streaming services, where it recruits, radicalizes, and exploits young individuals.

The group’s decentralized structure has made it challenging for authorities to disrupt its operations.

Over time, The Com has established connections with violent extremist groups and Russian cybercriminal gangs, with some offshoots refining their extortion tactics to target corporations.

International Cooperation

Project Compass is a collaborative effort between Europol’s European Counter Terrorism Centre and law enforcement agencies from EU member states, the Five Eyes nations (the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand), Norway, and Switzerland.

The operation involves a shared intelligence network that enables partner nations to contribute to investigations through specialized units.

The U.S. participants include the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations, while the UK participants include Counter Terrorism Policing and the National Crime Agency.

“Project Compass allows us to intervene earlier, safeguard victims, and disrupt those who exploit vulnerability for extremist purposes. No country can address this threat alone, and through this cooperation, we are closing the gaps they try to hide in.”

— Anna Sjöberg, head of Europol’s European Counter Terrorism Centre

Investigation Findings

The investigation has identified up to 62 victims, with four of them being safeguarded.

The operation has also shed light on the group’s tactics, which include running sextortion campaigns targeting teenagers before escalating to attacks on corporations.

The Com’s connections to violent extremist groups and Russian cybercriminal gangs have raised concerns about the potential for further attacks.

Conclusion

The success of Project Compass demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in combating cybercrime and highlights the need for continued collaboration to address the evolving threat landscape.