European Children Groomed for Murder

Organized crime is growing in power and effectiveness across Europe. Mafia infrastructure is so entrenched in Belgium that some experts warn that the nation is at risk of becoming a “narco state” (Financial Times, October 27, 2025). And this is just the beginning.

Organized criminal networks now use sophisticated methods to recruit, groom, and train children to commit heinous crimes (Politico, November 21, 2025). According to Europol’s executive director, organized criminals “weaponize the children to torture or to kill.” She also “suggested that children and young people are being used by hostile states and hybrid threat perpetrators as unwitting spies to eavesdrop on government buildings.” Criminals join multiplayer video games and befriend children in group chats. Once befriended, they move children to private chat rooms and pressure them in various ways—sometimes offering large sums of money, and other times threatening and blackmailing them—all while parents are often completely unaware.

Bible prophecy warns that one end-time characteristic of the modern nations descended from ancient Israel is that “children are their oppressors” (Isaiah 3:12). Perhaps this circumstance is one element in the coming fulfillment of this prophecy. Tragically, in nations of Europe—many of which are of Israelite descent—children are being used to oppress society and sometimes their own families. In today’s crumbling societies, children are too often extremely vulnerable to exploitation by criminals. Thankfully, this will not last. God also prophesied that the time is coming, after Christ’s return, when “great shall be the peace of your children” (Isaiah 54:13). You can learn more about the society that will bring peace to all children by reading or listening to The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?