Criminal organisations in Sweden have begun enlisting girls in their teens to make bombs for attacks on rivals, an investigation has uncovered.
Criminals operating from abroad utilise online platforms to recruit girls from the age of 15, offering monetary rewards for carrying out violent assignments.
The perpetrators have been dubbed "Green Women" by Swedish gangs, who consider teenage girls unlikely to attract police attention whilst purchasing and handling materials for firebombs.
A crime specialist who has conducted interviews with numerous young gang participants revealed that criminal coordinators actively seek "young, blonde, typical" Swedish girls to execute these assignments.
A 17-year-old identified as Olivia was recruited through social media by an overseas criminal coordinator who instructed her to execute a "napalm" assault, demanding immediate action and promising increased payment.
Swedish authorities report that Olivia purchased petrol, containers and an additional common hardware store component to create what investigators describe as a firebomb "batter".
Surveillance footage obtained by the Telegraph shows Olivia transferring bags containing the incendiary mixture to male associates within the criminal network.
Messages exchanged with her boyfriend revealed him enquiring about the operation's success, to which Olivia replied it "went OK", followed by him sharing a news report about the subsequent arson incident.
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Damage caused to a block of flats after a gang-related bomb exploded early in 2024 in Sundbyberg
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This recruitment strategy represents a departure from earlier methods where criminal networks targeted disadvantaged or vulnerable boys, including those with mental disabilities, who were considered easier to control.
Swedish prosecutor Lisa dos Santos, who has prosecuted numerous cases involving young offenders, expressed alarm at the increasing involvement of girls serving as accomplices in violent crimes.
She said: "They call them Green Ladies, green as in newbies, because the police initially didn't look at them in the same way as the men.
"The police are now aware that girls are taking part but I think it's still easier for them to fly under the radar."
The police bomb squad work outside the cornered off domestic flight terminal at Goteborg Landvetter airport after a bomb threat in 2016
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Financial incentives drive participation, with assassination contracts reportedly worth up to £13,000, whilst lower-risk tasks like preparing incendiary materials command several thousand kroner.
Ms Dos Santos said: "I think they share this fascination for an exclusive lifestyle, expensive jewellery, bags, clothes, you know.
"We've seen a pattern where after taking part in this type of crime, they go shopping."
Data revealing 280 girls were suspected of serious gang-related offences last year has prompted Sweden to reduce the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 for severe crimes, including murder.
Despite recording 92 deadly violence incidents in 2024, down from 121 the previous year, experts warn that overseas criminal coordinators continue exploiting social media to recruit youngsters.