Durham police issued a caution to the public regarding an online group of predators targeting children and manipulating them into committing criminal acts. The group, known as “The Com” or “The Community,” has been connected to several incidents, as disclosed by Sgt. Janalyn Dowdle in a video shared on social media.
The network focuses on children and teenagers aged 8 to 17, using tactics like grooming, manipulation, coercion, and intimidation to exploit them. Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) highlighted that offenders often establish trust, induce secrecy through fear or shame, and push victims into risky behaviors like participating in online attacks or making hoax 911 calls, also known as swatting.
DRPS is currently probing a swatting episode that led to a lockdown at Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School in Oshawa, with possible links to the network, according to acting Sgt. Nicholas Gluckstein. Earlier this year, police had associated a series of threats at a Pickering elementary school with this network.
“The Com” may also coerce victims into sharing inappropriate content, engaging in self-harm, or inflicting harm on others or animals, as mentioned by Det.-Const. Taryn Snow from the Durham police cyber crime unit. Children might be compelled to comply through threats such as doxing, swatting, or exposing private information.
York Regional Police confirmed no direct incidents tied to ‘The Com,’ while Toronto police have not disclosed if they are investigating the network. The group targets children across various online platforms, including Discord, Telegram, Snapchat, Roblox, Minecraft, Twitch, and Steam, urging parents to monitor their children’s online behaviors closely.
Parents are advised to watch for signs like increased secretive device usage, mood changes, or declining academic performance in their children. They should educate them about the risks of sharing personal information online and actively supervise their online activities. If parents suspect any concerning behavior, they are encouraged to contact the Durham police non-emergency line and save relevant information like messages and usernames.
According to Amarnath Amarasingam, an associate professor at Queen’s University, “The Com” comprises roughly 3,000 decentralized groups involved in cybercrimes, exploitation, extortion, or violence-oriented subcultures. Amarasingam emphasized the importance of recognizing warning signs not only for parents but also for educators, healthcare professionals, and even veterinarians. Monitoring children’s online content beyond setting time limits is crucial to safeguard them from potential harm.
