# Europol flags 4,340 'horrific' URLs linked to The Com Crackdown on the online criminal network expands across borders. - **Source:** [www.theregister.com - Articles](https://brifing.si/source/2c34ea50-d341-4a10-925d-12c012a9ad10) - **Published:** 2026-07-24 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/33bbc796-f237-4ad9-ade6-09295da9f20b ## What is The Com? The Com is a loosely connected online network where young members engage in illegal activities like hacking, digital extortion, and physical violence. They target minors through social media and gaming platforms. Europol describes it as a 'global threat.' ## Operation details In June and July 2025, Europol flagged 4,340 URLs for removal. These URLs hosted violent videos, child abuse materials, and animal cruelty content. The operation, part of Project Compass, involves partners from the EU, US, and UK. ## How violence spreads The Com members gain status by livestreaming violent acts, which are later saved and shared. Symbols like 'blood walls' and 'cut signs' are part of the psychological abuse victims endure. ## International collaboration Investigators from Belgium, Finland, and Spain joined the Referral Action Days. The FBI and UK National Crime Agency issued similar warnings. The Com's recruitment of teens for cyber fraud and abuse is deeply concerning. ## Extortion and swatting The Com is known for 'extortion-as-a-service' and 'swat-for-hire' activities. Victims are coerced into committing crimes under threats of violence. Europol reported hundreds of investigation requests in the past two years. ## Why it matters The Com poses risks for minors as both victims and perpetrators. The spread of online violence threatens global security. Operations aim to disrupt the network's activities and protect vulnerable individuals. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.theregister.com/cyber-crime/2026/07/24/europol-flags-4340-horrific-urls-linked-to-the-com/5278556 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._