Federal Prosecutor's Office investigates suspected instigator from the COM scene

Background of the COM scene

Connections to Russia and the USA

The COM scene refers to a loose network of online groups that communicate with one another via encrypted messenger services and gaming platforms. Investigators see the scene as a predominantly English-language, internationally networked community in which images and instructions for violence and self-harm circulate. In recent years, structures attributed to the scene have also been noted in Germany, Russia, the USA, and Sweden.

Parallels to the "White Tiger" case

Role of the chat groups

According to the Federal Prosecutor's Office, there are leads in the current proceedings that lead both to Russia and to the USA. The suspect is said to have had contact with at least one U.S. citizen. The authority did not publicly disclose details regarding the nature and scope of these connections. A possible link to Trier, where arrests had been made in earlier proceedings against the scene, is also being examined.

Measures and next steps

The "White Tiger" case is considered one of the first major criminal proceedings against the COM scene in Germany. At the time, proceedings had been conducted, among others, against a suspect from Rhineland-Palatinate who was accused of inciting sexual violence and abuse in chats. In the current investigation, the Karlsruhe investigators see comparable structures, which is why insights and methods from this complex are being drawn upon, it was stated.

Role of the chat groups

According to the current state of the investigation, the alleged acts are said to have taken place primarily in chat groups on common messenger services. Content that was intended to encourage other users to commit violence or self-harm was distributed in these groups. In this context, the Federal Prosecutor's Office speaks of an "association" whose members acted in a coordinated manner. Whether the identified chat groups were publicly accessible or closed channels is not yet known.

Measures and next steps

In connection with the investigation, the Federal Prosecutor's Office has ordered searches and secured evidence. In addition, data from international communication platforms is being evaluated, the authority stated. No information was initially provided regarding possible arrests or arrest warrants. The question of whether further suspects have been identified in Germany or abroad also remained open. The investigations are ongoing.

Significance for victim protection

Beyond the purely criminal investigation, investigators see the case as evidence of how recklessly children and young people can be drawn into manipulative structures in online networks. According to the Federal Prosecutor's Office, a determined approach against such networks is only possible if information from the public, platform operators, and schools is evaluated at an early stage. Counseling centers advise parents and young people to document conspicuous chats and to contact the police or specialized support services.

International dimension

According to the assessment of security authorities, the COM scene is a cross-border phenomenon. Investigations are underway not only in Germany, but also in Russia, the USA, and Sweden, among others. Information is exchanged between the authorities via Europol and bilateral mutual legal assistance channels. How many suspects play a role in comparable proceedings across Europe is currently unclear.