A recent global law enforcement operation, coordinated by Europol and named ‘Project Compass’, has taken significant action against a notorious online group known as ‘The Com’. This collective is infamous for its involvement in high-profile cyber-attacks, extortion, and exploitation.
The Com consists largely of a network of teenage boys and young men, and has been linked to several major ransomware campaigns. These attacks have notably targeted organizations such as Marks & Spencer, The Co-op, and Harrods in 2025, as well as a series of cyber-attacks against Las Vegas casinos in 2023.
The group's methods often include phishing, vishing, and SIM swapping, all aimed at breaching networks through account takeovers.
Law enforcement officials have raised concerns regarding The Com's operations across various internet platforms, including social media, messaging apps, and online gaming. The group has also been associated with physical acts of violence and has encouraged blackmail, extortion, and even the abuse of victims, including children.
Over time, The Com has increasingly become connected to violent and extremist groups, including Russian cyber-criminal organizations.
To combat this growing threat, Project Compass was launched in January 2025, spearheaded by Europol’s European Counter Terrorism Centre. This initiative includes collaboration among several European Union member states, as well as Norway, Switzerland, and the Five Eyes countries: the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Europol has recently reported “concrete operational results” from the last 12 months of Project Compass in its efforts against The Com. This includes the arrest of 30 individuals involved in the network and the identification, either fully or partially, of 179 perpetrators. Additionally, several victims of The Com's campaigns have been identified and provided with necessary protections.
“These networks deliberately target children in the digital spaces where they feel most at ease,” stated Anna Sjöberg, head of Europol’s European Counter Terrorism Centre. “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,” she added.
In light of these developments, the UK’s National Crime Agency has previously issued warnings regarding the involvement of teenage boys in what it describes as “sadistic and violent online gangs,” including The Com.
