Copenhagen, DENMARK – Danish gangs have been using social media to lure Swedish youth to cross the border to commit serious crimes – including murders of rival gang members – for promises of payment, according to investigators with the Danish police.
Authorities here are taking this very seriously, responding with strong measures to try to stop it.
The Special Crimes Unit for the Danish police “assesses that there is cooperation between Danish and Swedish organized criminals across the border,” said Torben Svarrer, chief superintendent of the Special Crimes unit in a released statement.
But Svarrer also said he does not believe the gangs have established themselves in Denmark but rather are working with their Danish counterparts.
According to Svarrer, intelligence reports show that the cause of the crimes could stem from when one gang believes that drugs have been taken from them by someone else.
“We have seen that organized criminals on social media demand people who are willing to carry out dangerous crimes and that young Swedes have unfortunately taken on the task for a fee,” said Svarrer.
DR, the national news agency in Denmark, reported they believed the amount to be between 200,000 kroner (around $30,000 USD) and 400,000 kroner (around 60,000 USD), though they cannot connect it to real crimes.
The Special Crimes Unit refused to comment on that amount.
In the period between July 31 and August 8, there were five attempted murders, two of which were committed by young people under the age of 18, according to the Copenhagen Police account on X.
“I want to warn very strongly against acting as a young person under the delusion that, due to your young age, you can avoid a harsh punishment for a crime dangerous to the person. That is not the case,” said Svarrer.
Criminal Responsibility is held by anyone over the age of 15 though special rules apply in the justice system, according to the European Crime Prevention Award.
According to the Copenhagen Police X account, they were called early in the evening on July 31 due to shots being fired. Shortly after the report, a 16-year-old boy, who was a Swedish citizen, was arrested, the department posted.
The X account offered more: On Aug 5, the police were called due to the report of a shooting and a person was taken to a hospital for treatment for his injuries. A 17-year-old Swedish boy was arrested and was charged with attempted murder.
On Aug 6, the police were called to a report of an explosion after an object had been thrown into a kiosk. No one was injured. The alleged perpetrators were arrested at the Swedish border and requested to be extradited to Denmark. A man and woman, both 24 years old, were arrested, but police did not share their nationalities.
On Aug 8, the police were called to a report of a shooting where they discovered two hit by gunfire. A 43-year-old man died, and 42-year-old women was taken to hospital for treatment and was reported to be out of danger. In this shooting, police posted, the shooter was a Danish man.
All the shootings occurred in Nørrebro and outer Østerbro in Copenhagen.
The border between Sweden and Denmark has been strengthened and more checks will occur both by road and rail, according to a Danish Justice Ministry press release.
Copenhagen Police said the trains will be stopped for inspection based upon samplings and intelligence.
Since Copenhagen Police added stop and search zones on August 9, there have been many seizures and arrests due to illegal weapons, but no more shootings. Police tallied one pistol, about 15 knives and five cans of pepper spray in screening more than 600 people over a two-week period.
Noah Haynes is a Senior Reporter with Youth Journalism International.
