In the past two years, a chilling trend has emerged within the Nordic criminal landscape: gangs are increasingly relying on young people—often children—to carry out violent crimes on their behalf. These young recruits, commonly referred to as “torpedoes,” are used as expendable pawns in the criminal world, committing brutal acts under the control of shadowy figures pulling the strings from behind the scenes.
A New Tactic in the Criminal Underworld
What may have once seemed like isolated incidents—such as the grenade attack on a kiosk in Copenhagen or a bomb that was nearly detonated in Odense—are now part of a broader, alarming pattern. A recent investigation by DR, in collaboration with the documentary Bandernes børnesoldater, has revealed that since late 2023, at least 47 young individuals have either committed or attempted to commit serious crimes in Denmark under contract. This disturbing statistic highlights an emerging criminal strategy: using children and adolescents as “hitmen” for violent operations.
The Role of Children in Violent Crime
The recruits for these gangs are often very young, with many of them under 18 years old, and in some cases, as young as 12. The term “torpedo” is used to describe these young criminals, a reference to an autonomous missile that cannot be recalled once launched. In this context, the torpedo is a disposable agent used to carry out crimes with no expectation of long-term loyalty or survival.
These young individuals are often recruited through social media platforms, where the allure of easy money, coupled with promises of status and power, draws them into the web of criminal activity. What starts as an enticing offer of financial gain often ends with the commission of heinous acts, including attempted murder and the illegal possession of firearms.
For example, a 16-year-old boy was recruited to shoot at the Comanches gang’s clubhouse in Brøndby, Denmark, in April 2024. The boy was later convicted of attempted murder and illegal possession of a weapon. His story is just one of many that illustrate the dangers posed by this growing trend.
The Geographic and Demographic Reach of the Crisis
The vast majority of torpedoes involved in these crimes are under 20 years old, with many of them under 18. Among them, some are even children. In one particularly shocking case, a 12-year-old boy was involved in a violent crime.
The use of young people for violent purposes is not confined to Denmark alone. In December 2023, a 17-year-old Swedish boy was caught attempting to detonate a bomb in front of an apartment building in Odense. Thanks to the swift action of a passing patrol car, the bomb failed to detonate, and the boy was arrested. He had allegedly brought the bomb from Sweden. This case marked the beginning of a dangerous trend that continued throughout 2024, where children and young people were increasingly employed by criminal organizations to carry out violent tasks.
While many of these torpedoes are sent to commit violent acts in Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, others have been dispatched across the country, including rural areas. In one such case, two Swedish girls, aged 14 and 15, were hired to murder a man in Lind, near Herning, in June 2024. However, when the target was not at home, they returned to Sweden without completing their mission. This incident highlights not only the disturbing age of these young criminals but also the disturbing lack of competence in their tasks—one of the girls had reportedly inserted the cartridges in the gun incorrectly.
The Growing Role of Swedish Criminals
A striking feature of this trend is the prominent role that Swedish criminals play in the recruitment and use of torpedoes. While Denmark has approximately 1,350 active gang members, Sweden’s gang problem is far more pervasive, with 17,500 active criminals and around 50,000 individuals with gang affiliations. This disparity is significant, as many of the young torpedoes involved in these operations are from Sweden, where gang culture is even more deeply entrenched.
Of the 47 torpedoes documented by DR, 16 were residents of Denmark, but the rest crossed the Øresund Strait from Sweden to commit their crimes. This influx of Swedish youth into Denmark for criminal purposes reflects the broader trend of cross-border gang activity in the region.
A Network of Shadowy Figures
The use of torpedoes is not a solitary venture. Behind every young recruit lies a complex web of orchestrators. These gangs operate through layers of intermediaries who recruit, equip, and coordinate the activities of torpedoes. A single murder contract can involve numerous individuals, from the person who orders the crime to the people who help the torpedo with logistics, including access to weapons and knowledge of the crime scene.
In one documented case, the police identified at least seven individuals involved in a single criminal operation. Law enforcement sources indicate that such webs can sometimes involve more than ten people, showcasing the extent of coordination and the systematic nature of these criminal networks.
The Implications for Society
The rise of child soldiers within the Nordic criminal underworld represents a serious threat to public safety and social cohesion. These young individuals, often lured by the promise of quick money and power, are being pushed into violent criminal roles with devastating consequences. The involvement of children in such crimes poses profound ethical, legal, and societal challenges, and calls for a robust response from both law enforcement and social services.
This crisis underscores the need for preventive measures to curb the recruitment of young people into the criminal world. Public awareness, stricter online regulations, and interventions aimed at addressing the root causes of gang involvement are essential to breaking the cycle of violence and exploitation.
In conclusion, the use of torpedoes by gangs in the Nordic countries is a dangerous and growing trend that has far-reaching consequences. As the criminal underworld continues to exploit vulnerable young people, society must take urgent action to protect these individuals and prevent further harm. The solution requires a coordinated effort involving law enforcement, social services, and community organizations to tackle both the symptoms and the root causes of this alarming phenomenon.
Editor’s note: We have revisited this issue in light of a recent study by Danish Radio (DR), which sheds new light on the troubling use of children as hitmen within the Nordic criminal underworld. While our previous reports have largely focused on Sweden, DR’s investigation highlights the broader, expanding scope of this phenomenon across the region.