Messengers and social networks are increasingly becoming a tool that criminals use to involve teenagers in dangerous activities. However, hiding behind an anonymous account and avoiding responsibility will not work – such crimes are investigated, and the perpetrators receive real sentences, stated Vitaly Saksin, head of the Western Interregional Investigative Directorate for Transport of the Investigative Committee of Russia.

According to Saksin, the investigation of such cases is conducted jointly with the Federal Security Service. He explained that the threads of crimes often lead beyond Russia, so, if there are legal grounds, investigative bodies interact with the competent authorities of other states.

Work to combat such cases of fraud is already yielding concrete results. In 2025, seven criminal cases against adult accomplices were sent to court. According to the investigation, these individuals involved minors in four crimes of a terrorist nature, as well as in hooliganism, vandalism, and illegal drug trafficking.

In all considered cases, courts have handed down guilty verdicts. The punishment for such acts is provided for up to 15 years of imprisonment, Saksin reported.