The Netherlands is grappling with a disturbing trend: an increasing number of young people becoming involved in extremely violent online groups, collectively known as the “Com-netwerk.” Investigations reveal at least seventy Dutch citizens, primarily minors, are actively participating in this international network, engaging in activities ranging from cybercrime and sextortion to inciting real-world violence. The scope of the problem and the ease with which young people are drawn into these dangerous online ecosystems, is prompting calls for stronger prevention measures and improved digital oversight.
The Com-netwerk isn’t a single entity, but rather a complex web of overlapping online communities. Originating around 2021 with “Cyber Com,” focused on cybercrime, it has since spawned “Sextortion Com,” groups like 764 specializing in grooming, sexual blackmail, and self-harm coercion, and “Offline Com,” exemplified by the group No Lives Matter, which actively promotes violence in the physical world, from vandalism to assault. A smaller, more radical faction within the network espouses accelerationist ideologies, deliberately seeking to destabilize society through violence and chaos.
The Rise of Nihilistic Violent Extremism
Authorities are increasingly categorizing this phenomenon as nihilistic violent extremism (NGE), a term also used by the FBI, which reported a threefold increase in related cases in the United States in September 2025. The FBI describes individuals involved in NGE as motivated by “violence for the sake of violence” and “extreme (sexual) power abuse.” The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) released a report on March 10, 2026, detailing the network’s structure and its implications for national security, highlighting the potential for terrorist attacks, risks to youth welfare, and a broader societal trend of online norm erosion. You can locate the full HCSS report here.
The investigation, conducted in collaboration with OSINT specialists from Capitol Terrorists Exposers (CTE), has already led to the prosecution of several suspects, including the alleged Dutch founder of No Lives Matter, facing serious criminal charges. According to NRC, the Com movement encompasses online groups where young members engage in activities such as extortion, the creation and distribution of child pornography, animal abuse, murder, inciting attacks, and encouraging self-harm or suicide.
Blurred Lines Between Victim and Perpetrator
A particularly concerning aspect of the Com-netwerk is the fluidity of roles within it. Researchers at HCSS note that individuals often transition between being victims and perpetrators, a dynamic that creates “complex dilemmas” for law enforcement, youth protection services, and mental health professionals. The traditional boundaries between guilt, coercion, and vulnerability are becoming increasingly blurred, making intervention and support challenging. As Hart van Nederland reports, individuals are often groomed, humiliated, or blackmailed before escalating to becoming perpetrators or instigators themselves.
The National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV) designated Com as a “new source of terrorist threat” in December 2025, warning that repeated exposure to extremely violent imagery can lead to “violent fantasies among (minor) young people and mental numbness, a negative view of humanity, and a rejection of society.” This desensitization can lower the threshold for engaging in violence, posing a significant risk to both individuals and the wider community.
The Role of Online Platforms
Investigations have revealed that recruitment into these groups often occurs through online gaming platforms. Reports indicate that an international network is actively recruiting young people via a game on Roblox, using manipulation and blackmail to encourage self-harm and even suicide. The Cult of Spawn, as the group is known, exploits the platform to exert control over vulnerable individuals.
Authorities are now focusing on preventative measures, including strengthening digital literacy education, improving online monitoring capabilities, and enhancing collaboration between law enforcement, social services, and mental health organizations. The challenge lies in addressing the root causes of vulnerability that create young people susceptible to radicalization and exploitation within these online environments.
The Com-netwerk represents a rapidly evolving threat, demanding a comprehensive and coordinated response. As investigations continue and more information comes to light, the focus will remain on protecting vulnerable youth, disrupting the network’s activities, and mitigating the risk of real-world violence. The situation underscores the urgent need for a multi-faceted approach to address the growing dangers of online extremism and the exploitation of young people in the digital age.
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