Project Compass Operation Cracks Down on “The Com” Cybercrime Collective – 30 Arrested, 179 Suspects Identified

An international law enforcement operation named Project Compass has launched a major offensive against “The Com,” a dangerous transnational virtual network (TVN).

The operation, which began in January 2025, has successfully led to the arrest of 30 suspects and the identification of 179 potential perpetrators connected to the sprawling cybercrime collective.

Led by the European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC) alongside agencies like the FBI, UK National Crime Agency (NCA), and law enforcement partners from 30 nations, Project Compass was specifically formed to tackle the complex, decentralized nature of The Com.

The group uses digital platforms to organize extreme violence, extortion, and manipulation, frequently targeting vulnerable individuals.

The Rise of Transnational Virtual Networks

The Com operates openly across social media, messaging apps, and online gaming platforms.

It functions through a network of specialized subgroups, each with distinct criminal objectives.

Law enforcement categorizes the network’s activities into three primary divisions:

• Cyber Com: Focuses on attacks against online commerce and infrastructure through network intrusions and ransomware deployment.
• Offline Com: Promotes a violent nihilistic worldview by encouraging property damage, physical harm to others, and acts of terrorism.
• (S)extortion Com: Blackmails minors into committing sex crimes, self-harm, and acts of violence against people and animals.

Within the broader network, a specific subgroup known as “764” has gained notoriety since 2021 for its severe violence and grooming tactics.

Group 764 targets young people, pushing them to participate in violent acts and create explicit content, which is then used for blackmail, as reported by Europal.

Their activities frequently intersect with other extremist ideologies, heightening the risk of radicalization.

Project Compass was established to overcome the jurisdictional challenges of investigating decentralized digital networks.

The initiative brings together counter-terrorism, organized crime, and child protection units to coordinate intelligence sharing and operational strategy.

The project utilizes “data sprints” where participating nations present ongoing cases to uncover connections across borders.

Through these coordinated efforts, authorities have achieved significant milestones.

In addition to the 30 arrests, law enforcement has identified 62 victims, successfully safeguarding four individuals from immediate harm.

The operation also focuses on prevention, advising participating countries on proactive measures to combat the spread of these networks.

Project Compass marks a crucial shift in how global law enforcement approaches decentralized digital extremism.

By uniting resources from 30 countries, authorities are attempting to match the transnational reach of networks like The Com.

The ongoing operation underscores the critical need for international cooperation to dismantle virtual groups that exploit digital platforms to orchestrate real-world harm.

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