Europol’s Operational Taskforce (OTF) GRIMM has made significant progress in its first six months of operation, arresting 193 individuals and disrupting criminal networks behind the growth of violence-as-a-service (VaaS). One of Europol’s most active taskforces, OTF GRIMM has been instrumental in crippling organised crime groups that have been recruiting young people to carry out violent acts across Europe.
Launched in April 2025, the taskforce has been focused on combating the emerging trend of VaaS, where criminals outsource violent acts, often relying on young, inexperienced perpetrators. These individuals are groomed or coerced into committing a range of violent crimes, from acts of intimidation and torture to murder.
What began as a growing issue in Sweden has now spread across Europe, with criminal networks operating in multiple countries. In response, OTF GRIMM has brought together specialised investigators from Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom, alongside Europol experts and online service providers. This collaborative effort is aimed at disrupting the recruitment process, which predominantly takes place on social media platforms, and stopping the spread of murder-for-hire services.
Key figures from the first six months of OTF GRIMM
- 63 perpetrators arrested, directly preventing violent crimes
- 40 enablers apprehended, halting their facilitation of violence-for-hire services
- 84 recruiters detained, obstructing efforts to exploit vulnerable young people
- 6 instigators arrested, including 5 High Value Targets
Recent cases
The cases detailed below, which were developed through OTF GRIMM, highlight the growing trend of violent acts being commissioned across borders.
- Attempted murder (Germany, the Netherlands)
On 12 May 2025, an attempted murder took place in Tamm, Germany. Two suspects, aged 26 and 27, were arrested in the Netherlands on 1 October 2025.
- Triple shooting (the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany)
On 28 March 2025, three people were killed in Oosterhout, the Netherlands. Three suspects were arrested in Sweden and Germany.
- Attempted murder (Spain, Sweden)
On 1 July 2025, six suspects, including a minor, were arrested in Spain for planning a murder. The operation also led to the seizure of firearms and ammunition, preventing a potential tragedy.
The road ahead
The fight against VaaS is ongoing. OTF GRIMM’s next steps include working to further disrupt the criminal service providers. The taskforce will continue to strengthen cross-border intelligence sharing to ensure timely, coordinated action. Closer cooperation with tech companies is equally important to detect and block recruitment activities on social media platforms, preventing young people from being exploited by these criminal networks.
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