Blair County Children’s Advocacy Center, FBI warn of online threat group targeting youths
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The Center for Child Justice, Blair County's Children's Advocacy Center and Family Services Inc., in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the FBI, is raising awareness about a dangerous and growing online threat group known as The Com, short for The Community.
This international network, composed largely of minors and young adults, is responsible for a wide range of criminal activity targeting youth online, the groups said.
Recruitment often occurs through gaming platforms and social media, where young people are lured into criminal subgroups based on shared interests. The FBI estimates thousands of individuals are involved, with tactics growing more sophisticated each year.
Criminal activity conducted by members of The Com includes, but is not limited to, swatting/hoax threats, sextortion of minors, production/distribution of child sexual abuse material, violent crimes and various types of cyber-crimes.
Recent reports and investigations suggest that platforms like Roblox, which are popular among children and teens, may be used by members of The Com as digital "hunting grounds." These gaming environments allow for anonymous interaction, making it easier for threat actors to initiate contact, build trust and manipulate young users. The Com exploits shared interests and in-game communication features to recruit minors into their network, often under the guise of friendship or collaboration.
Richard Servello, program director of the Blair County CAC, emphasized the importance of proactive education.
"We're happy to bring NetSmartz presentations to schools across Blair County, especially with groups like The Com targeting youth. Many students we talk to during our presentations bring up Roblox as one of the top apps/games they are playing. We believe prevention starts with awareness, and we're committed to equipping our youth with the tools they need to stay safe," Servello said in a news release.
NetSmartz, developed by NCMEC, is a nationally recognized internet safety program that teaches children and teens how to recognize and avoid online dangers. These age-appropriate, interactive sessions help students understand online risks and empower them to make safer choices.
As The Com continues to exploit digital platforms to target youth, it's critical for families, educators, and community members to take proactive steps to safeguard children online. We recommend a series of practical actions that can help reduce risk, strengthen digital boundaries and empower young people to navigate the internet safely. These recommendations are especially important for parents of children who use gaming platforms, social media, and messaging apps regularly.