Global Europol-coordinated operation against The Com yields arrests

International cybercrime collective The Com which was noted by the FBI to be split into Hacker Com, In Real Life Com, and Extortion Com had 30 of its members arrested as part of the Europol-coordinated Project Compass operation, which commenced in January 2025, reports CyberScoop.

Another 179 The Com perpetrators have been fully or partially identified, while 62 victims have been determined, four of which have been safeguarded due to Project Compass, which involved cooperation with the U.S. and 27 other countries, according to Europol. While none of the apprehended individuals were named, The Com offshoot 764 had its alleged leaders Leonidas Varagiannis and Prasan Nepal arrested and indicted over child sexual abuse material distribution.

"Project Compass allows us to intervene earlier, safeguard victims, and disrupt those who exploit vulnerability for extremist purposes. No country can address this threat alone and through this cooperation, we are closing the gaps they try to hide in," said Europol European Counter Terrorism Centre Head Anna Sjoberg.