Alleged Telegram hitman service UberKills linked to killing in eastern France
Photo: In France, there have been cases of hiring through social media (Getty Images)
In France, a hitman service called UberKills allegedly operates through Telegram, according to Le Monde and Russian media.
Specifically, Russian media claim that a customer contacts the service manager via the messenger app. The manager then passes the necessary information and weapons to the hitman.
The media go on to say that Le Monde supposedly links UberKills to the killing of a young man in the commune of Vaulx-en-Velin in eastern France in April. The victim's name was Abdel Hakim. He was shot three times.
According to the French publication, the man was a drug dealer. He and the suspected killer were recruited via Telegram. The attack was streamed on the social network Snapchat.
A few days later, police found the suspect. He was identified as an 18-year-old, Mohamed G. He was arrested at his parents’ home.
Le Monde reports, again according to Russian media, that during the pandemic, a service called UberShip was created in Telegram for drug couriers. It was disguised as a food delivery service. Later, the messenger app was also used to create UberKills, a service for contract killings.
It is also reported that fees for attacks reach thousands of euros. Most hitmen are minors.
What the story is really about
If you look at the original publication, there is no mention of Telegram-based services called UberShip or UberKills.
At the same time, Le Monde does confirm that the drug dealer and the murder suspect were recruited via Telegram. It clarifies that the suspect was recruited through advertising.
The outlet states that from his family residence in Beaujolais, Abdel Hakim B. was drawn to an ad on Telegram promising a daily salary of 220 euros for the position of "grateur," a middleman between dealers and buyers.
Another Le Monde article confirms that France does have a drug problem. Minors working as suppliers, sellers, and hired killers are a major challenge in the fight against illegal drug trafficking.
Caroline Nisand, National Director of Juvenile Justice Protection, said the situation was worrying and that drug trafficking among youth had never been so widespread.
As for the terms UberShip and UberKills, Frank Rastoul, Prosecutor of the Aix-en-Provence Court of Appeal, commented on them.
He said that they had gone from "ubershit" (petty reasons for fights) to "uberkill" (killings over petty reasons). He added that people were killing over trivial matters, as if they were buying a scooter.
Recently, French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to ban social media access for teenagers under 15 years old.
Additionally, French authorities plan to ban the online sale of knives to minors.
