An investigation is underway in the Netherlands involving three 17-year-olds suspected of spying for Russia, with at least one having contact with a hacker group linked to the Russian government. The public prosecution department announced the details of the case after reports surfaced in the Dutch media.

One of the teenagers is suspected of tasking the other two with mapping Wi-Fi networks in The Hague. This information could potentially be used for digital espionage or cyber attacks.

Two of the teenagers were arrested on September 22, while the third was questioned but not detained. The investigation was initiated following a tip from the military intelligence and security service MIVD.

While one media outlet reported that the hacker group may have pressured one of the teenagers by using their address, and that others from the same school or neighborhood were involved, prosecutors stated that there is no indication that other individuals connected to the three teenagers were involved or that the teenager in contact with the Russian group was coerced.

The Dutch security agencies, including the counter-terrorism unit NCTV, have issued repeated warnings about the increasing threat of digital espionage and the more assertive actions by state actors.

All three teenagers have returned to their families. This case is the first of its kind in the Netherlands, while in Germany, a campaign has been initiated to warn youngsters against becoming a “disposable agent.”