Federal investigators on both sides of the border are sounding alarms about a violent online network known as Group 764 — sometimes referred to as Com/764 — that has been targeting children and teens through popular apps and games. Authorities describe it as one of the most dangerous digital exploitation groups uncovered in recent years, with active investigations underway in both Canada and the United States.

Arrests and Investigations

In May 2025, CBC’s Fifth Estate reported the arrests of alleged leaders of a subgroup called “764 Inferno.” U.S. Marshals apprehended a 20-year-old North Carolina man accused of operating a child exploitation enterprise as a co-leader of 764. Another individual was arrested abroad. Both face charges related to running an invitation-only network that promoted child abuse material and encouraged acts of violence.

The FBI says it currently has more than 250 open investigations tied to Group 764 across the country. According to ABC News, every one of the bureau’s 55 field offices is working at least one case connected to the network. Victims in the United States have been identified as young as nine years old.

In Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed that minors have been targeted nationwide. In Edmonton, a 15-year-old was charged under federal terrorism law for alleged ties to the group. Canadian officials describe the network as “violent, predatory, and transnational.”

How Group 764 Operates

Researchers and law enforcement agencies say Group 764 thrives by blending elements of a child exploitation ring, a violent extremist movement, and a cybercrime network.

The group uses sextortion tactics: children are lured into sharing explicit images or videos, often under the guise of friendship or romantic interest. Once the material is obtained, the victim is blackmailed with threats of exposure. In some cases, the pressure escalates to demands for self-harm, sexual acts, or violent behavior.

The platforms most commonly cited include Discord, Telegram, Roblox, and Minecraft, though experts caution that the group can surface on any platform where children can interact online. Investigators stress that 764 adapts quickly, shifting between platforms as law enforcement attention increases.

Scale and Reach

Authorities believe Group 764 is international in scope, with members and victims in multiple countries. While the exact number of victims is unknown, experts at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) say reports linked to 764-style activity have risen sharply. Analysts estimate “hundreds, if not thousands” of children worldwide may have been affected.

In the U.S., officials have not released precise state-by-state figures. However, the breadth of FBI investigations indicates that no region is untouched. “This is not a localized problem,” one senior federal agent told reporters. “We are seeing activity in urban centers and rural communities alike.”

Warning Signs for Parents

The RCMP and FBI have issued guidance for parents and guardians to help identify potential risks:

• Sudden secrecy online: A child may hide screens or quickly close apps when approached.
• Emotional changes: Anxiety, depression, or withdrawal can signal coercion.
• Unexplained images or accounts: New social media accounts, encrypted messaging apps, or unknown online contacts may be red flags.
• Threatening messages: Sextortion victims often receive demands for more content under threat of exposure.

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What Parents Can Do

Experts say the most effective defense against networks like 764 is early, open involvement in a child’s digital life. Recommended steps include:

1. Talk regularly about online safety. Encourage children to share when someone makes them uncomfortable or asks for private information or images.
2. Set boundaries on apps and games. Limit the use of anonymous chat features and discuss why some platforms are riskier than others.
3. Keep devices in shared spaces. Avoid long, unsupervised periods where children are online without visibility.
4. Know their contacts. Ask who your child is talking to online just as you would about their friends offline.
5. Reassure, don’t blame. If something has already happened, stress that the child is not at fault. The priority is safety and quick reporting.
6. Report immediately. Use the FBI’s IC3.gov, NCMEC’s CyberTipline (report.cybertip.org), or RCMP/Cybertip.ca in Canada if exploitation is suspected.

What Local Law Enforcement Can Do

Local police departments are increasingly the first point of contact when parents or victims report suspicious online behavior. Federal agencies recommend that officers:

• Treat all reports seriously, even if they appear minor. Early intervention can prevent escalation.
• Preserve digital evidence such as chat logs, images, or app usernames before advising families to delete or deactivate accounts.
• Coordinate with federal partners like the FBI or Homeland Security Investigations, who have cybercrime units equipped to trace 764’s activities.
• Refer victims promptly to mental health and victim-support services, given the trauma associated with sextortion and exploitation.

Reporting and Resources

Parents and victims in the United States are encouraged to report suspected exploitation through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline (report.cybertip.org) and Cybertip.ca in Canada.

Authorities stress that time is critical. “The sooner families come forward, the better chance we have to intervene before harm is done,” the FBI noted in a May briefing.

The Bottom Line

Group 764 represents a new kind of online threat: one that blends grooming, exploitation, and violence in ways that challenge traditional policing. With investigations stretching across North America and beyond, officials say awareness is the strongest defense.

For parents, that means staying engaged in children’s online lives and setting clear boundaries. For local law enforcement, it means recognizing early warning signs and working closely with federal counterparts.

As the RCMP warned, “This is not a problem that will disappear on its own. It requires vigilance at every level — in homes, in schools, and in policing.”

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Dave Soulia | FYIVT

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