Teen Cybercrime on the Rise: English-speaking Youths Entangled in Global Hacking Group

Toronto, Canada – A Growing Number Of Young People In English-Speaking Nations, Including Canada, The United States, And The United Kingdom, Are Becoming Entangled In Cyber criminal Organizations. Cyber Security Experts Reveal That These Organizations Belong To A Hacking Community Known As “The Com,” Which Has Been Implicated In Millions of Crimes, Ranging from Massive Data Breaches To Sexual Threats And Extortion Demands Targeting Businesses.

The Growing Threat Of Teen Hackers

“Those who perpetrate these attacks are often just teenagers-17, 19, or 20 years old,” States Ian Rin Of Packetlabs, A Cyber Security Firm. “We are underestimating their capabilities and the sophistication of their methods.”

Intel 471, A Cyber Threat Intelligence Company, Has Analyzed ‘The Com’ And Found That Its Members Are Involved In Various Cybercrimes, Including Sim Swapping, Cryptocurrency Theft, Real-World Violence, Doxing, And Enterprise System Invasions. These activities pose significant risks to individuals and organizations alike.

Federal Police have issued warnings that members of ‘The Com’ May Engage In Disturbing Behaviors, Including Self-Harm, Animal Abuse, And The Creation Of Child sexual abuse Material.The scope and severity of these potential actions underscore the urgency of addressing this issue.

Inside ‘The COM‘: Culture And Recruitment

Lynn, an expert studying the group, notes, “This organization is predominantly English-speaking, which gives them an advantage in understanding, manipulating, and controlling our culture.”

In May 2025, Tyler Buinum Cannon, A 23-Year-Old British National Allegedly Affiliated with ‘The Com’s’ Sub-Group, Scattered Spider, Was Extradited To The United States To Face Charges Related To Cybercrimes. Packetlabs Indicates That The Organization Is Actively Trying To Recruit Young Canadians,Attracted By The Potential For Easy Money.

Alison Nixon, Research Director At Unit 221B, Specializes In Investigating Cyber Threats.She recently helped identify Riley Muka, 25, From Kitchener, Ontario, who is Awaiting Extradition To The U.S. On 20 Charges, Including Threats, Computer Fraud, And Identity Theft.

Nixon States That While Other Canadian Members Are Known, Their Identities Will Remain Confidential until They Are Apprehended. “Courts and investigative agencies are now treating these groups more like traditional street gangs,recognizing the organized nature of their activities.”

Why Teens Join: Status And Belonging

Nixon Explains That Teenagers Join ‘The Com’ For Varying Reasons, Such As Seeking Protection Or To Vent Anger As Victims Themselves. The allure of seeming “cool” and gaining recognition, whether positive or negative, plays a significant role.

“It’s about looking cool and fitting in,” Nixon Says. “Whether it’s fame or notoriety, those are equally valuable to them.”

Members May Use Platforms Like Discord And Telegram To Issue Threats, Including Sexual Harassment, Even without advanced Hacking Skills. “Even those lacking robust hacking skills can inflict damage through intimidation,” Nixon Explains.

Nixon Compares ‘The Com’ To Pre-Internet Teenage gangs, Where Individuals Meet, Engage In illegal Activities, And Harm The Community. “The difference is that ‘The Com’ operates entirely online, amplifying its reach and impact.”

Within ‘The Com,’ Boasting About Crimes Is a Way To Gain Status. “The core values are ‘clout’ and ‘respect,’ with members striving to outdo each other in terms of notoriety and dominance. This creates a toxic culture driven by the pursuit of reputation.”

The Com Is Adept At Using social Engineering, Manipulating People Into Disclosing Sensitive Information Or Bypassing Security measures Through Psychological Tactics.Cisa Explains More About The Social Engineering.

According To Scott White, From Canadian Csis And Military Intelligence, “they are creating more sophisticated phishing attacks, leveraging personal data to increase their success rates.”

the Role Of Cybercrime In Modern Society

This Article Was Made Possible By Funding From The Government Of Canada Through The local Journalism Initiative Program.

What steps do you think are most effective in preventing teen involvement in cybercrime,and what role should technology companies

What are the most effective strategies for parents and guardians too proactively support their Canadian youth in navigating the risks of recruitment and exploitation, considering the various forms of exploitation and recruitment tactics?