A rising wave of cybercrime is being driven by young men in English-speaking countries—including Canada—who are being recruited into a notorious hacking community known as “The Com.” The group has been tied to high-profile data breaches, sextortion campaigns, and corporate ransom demands worth millions, according to cybersecurity experts.
“These attacks are conducted by 17, 20, 19-year-olds,” said Ian Lin of Packetlabs, a cybersecurity firm in Calgary. “We don’t give them enough credit for what they’re capable of doing.”
Intel471, a cyberthreat intelligence firm, reports that The Com engages in SIM swapping, crypto theft, swatting, and corporate intrusions. Alarmingly, the RCMP notes that the group manipulates children online into self-harm and producing exploitative content.
What sets The Com apart, experts say, is its cultural fluency. “They’re native English speakers who understand our norms and how to coerce,” Lin said.
One of the group’s affiliates, Scattered Spider, is reportedly increasing recruitment efforts in Canada. U.K. national Tyler Buchanan, 23, was recently extradited to the U.S., while Canadian Connor Riley Moucka, 25, is also awaiting extradition on 20 cybercrime-related charges.
“All of this proliferates because they’re receiving payouts,” Lin said, noting how these youth often defeat multi-million-dollar security systems.
Allison Nixon of Unit 221B, a U.S. firm combating The Com, likens them to online street gangs. “They seek fame or infamy—same thing to them,” she said. Their tactics go beyond hacking to include threats, harassment, and even real-world violence such as swatting and arson.
Experts warn that The Com thrives on social engineering—using psychological tricks to gain sensitive information. “These young cybercriminals are highly skilled in both tech and manipulation,” said Scott White, cybersecurity director at George Washington University.
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