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Dutch authorities have arrested two 17-year-olds suspected of conducting surveillance near key European law enforcement facilities on behalf of Russian intelligence. The incident is believed to be the first of its kind in the Netherlands and reflects growing concerns about the use of young individuals in low-level intelligence operations.
The arrests followed several months of monitoring by Dutch security services. According to local reports, one of the teens was spotted in mid-August near the headquarters of Europol and Eurojust in The Hague. He was carrying a WiFi sniffer, a device commonly used to detect and analyze wireless networks.
In addition to approaching EU institutions, the same individual was seen near the Canadian embassy.
WiFi sniffers, while commonly used in IT environments for diagnosing network issues or identifying security vulnerabilities, can also be repurposed for unauthorized access to wireless communications. When combined with packet analyzers, these tools can capture unencrypted data, potentially revealing sensitive information.
In this case, it appears the device was being used for reconnaissance. The use of such equipment near sensitive facilities raises serious security concerns.
Both suspects are Dutch nationals. One has been placed under house arrest with an electronic monitoring bracelet, while the other remains in custody pending further investigation. Reports suggest that at least one of the teens was recruited via Telegram by a pro-Russian hacker network. This method of online recruitment has been flagged by European intelligence agencies as a growing tactic used to enlist young, tech-savvy individuals for surveillance or influence operations.
The incident serves as a reminder that even relatively unsophisticated tools can pose a threat when used in sensitive locations, especially by individuals who may not fully understand the implications of their actions. As intelligence services increasingly rely on digital platforms to recruit proxies, authorities across Europe are being urged to raise awareness among young people about the risks of online manipulation and the potential legal consequences of engaging in espionage-related activities, even at a low level.
