# Europol flags 4,340 ‘horrific’ URLs linked to The Com

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/europol-flags-4340-horrific-urls-linked-to-the-com/
- Published: 2026-07-24T20:20:57+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-24T21:14:56+00:00
- Original publisher: The Register
- Original article: https://www.theregister.com/cyber-crime/2026/07/24/europol-flags-4340-horrific-urls-linked-to-the-com/5278556
- Topics: Software

## Key points

- Europol flagged 4,340 The Com-linked URLs for removal.
- The network uses extreme content to recruit and groom young people.
- Project Compass involves European, UK and US law-enforcement partners.

## Summary

Europol and partner agencies have identified 4,340 URLs linked to The Com for removal, targeting material used to recruit members and groom victims. The action matters because the loosely connected online network is associated with cybercrime, extortion, swatting and serious offline violence, with minors often involved as both victims and perpetrators.

The referrals were made during June and July under Project Compass, involving investigators from nine European countries alongside US and UK partners. The content included depictions of self-harm, suicide, child sexual abuse, animal cruelty and assaults, as well as instructions for grooming, extortion, doxxing, swatting and violent attacks; Europol says it has received hundreds of related investigative requests over two years.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.