How much money enticed these teens to do something that may have just wrecked their future? Did they see it as just quick and easy money and no big deal?
Alexander Martin reports:
Two teenagers have been arrested in the Netherlands on suspicion of espionage, reportedly on behalf of pro-Russian hackers.
The boys, both aged 17, were arrested on Monday. One has been remanded in custody while the other released on home bail.
Dutch prosecution service spokesperson Brechtje van de Moosdijk said the arrests were related to laws regarding state-sponsored interference, but said additional details would not be provided due to the age of the suspects and the ongoing investigation.
According to one of the boy’s fathers, who spoke to De Telegraaf newspaper, they were recruited by pro-Russian hackers over the messaging app Telegram.
He said they had been accused of being tasked with carrying a “wifi-sniffer” along a route past buildings in The Hague, including the headquarters of Europol and Eurojust, as well as several embassies.
Source: The Record.
The NL Times coverage includes a statement from the father one of the boys:
The father said his son is a diligent student, plays hockey, and works part-time in a supermarket. “He doesn’t go out, and shows no inclination to explore the world. We raise our children to handle everyday risks, but nothing like this. Who could have anticipated it?”
That’s a great question that all parents should be asking themselves. Conscientious parents prepare their children with safety scenarios like, “What would you do if….” and use those conversations to instill strategies for coping with risky situations. But how many parents have had conversations with their kids that begin, “What would you do if you are approached online and offered money….”
(And maybe another conversation should begin by asking what platforms the child is even on. Do you know if your kid is on Telegram? Discord? Where are they?)