Europol-Led Operation Ties 179 Suspects to The Com, Makes 30 Arrests
Summary
Europol says Project Compass, a 28-country operation targeting The Com, led to 30 arrests and 179 suspects being identified. Investigators identified 62 victims and safeguarded four minors.
Key points
- Project Compass launched in January 2025 and involved law enforcement agencies from 28 countries.
- Europol reported 30 arrests, 179 suspects tied to The Com, and 62 identified victims; four minors were safeguarded.
- The Com is described as a decentralized English-speaking network that recruits and targets young people for extortion, violence, and child sexual exploitation.
- The network includes Cyber Com, which orchestrates intrusions and ransomware attacks, and other subgroups focused on violence and sexual extortion.
- Two alleged leaders of the 764 subgroup were arrested in April 2025 and charged with operating an international child exploitation ring.
- The article says The Com has been linked to ransomware attacks against Marks & Spencer, Co-op, and Harrods, and to Las Vegas casino breaches.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Europol-coordinated international law enforcement operation targeting The Com, resulting in arrests and victim safeguarding.
- Impact
- Project Compass resulted in 30 arrests and identified 179 suspects linked to The Com. Investigators identified 62 victims and directly safeguarded four minors. The Com has been linked to ransomware attacks against Marks & Spencer, Co-op, and Harrods, and to Las Vegas casino breaches; the article does not establish confirmed responsibility for those incidents.
People
Threat Actors
764A grooming-focused subgroup within The Com, described as grooming young people into producing explicit content used for blackmail or shared among members.Cyber ComA subgroup of The Com described as orchestrating network intrusions and ransomware attacks.Leonidas VaragiannisIdentified as an alleged 764 leader, arrested in April 2025 and charged with operating an international child exploitation ring.Prasan NepalIdentified as an alleged 764 leader, arrested in April 2025 and charged with operating an international child exploitation ring.The ComEuropol describes The Com as a decentralized English-speaking network that targets and recruits young people for extortion, violence, and production of child sexual exploitation material. Its Cyber Com subgroup is described as orchestrating network intrusions and ransomware attacks. The collective has been linked to several reported ransomware and intrusion incidents.