“Leaders of 764 Arrested and Charged for Operating Global Child Exploitation Enterprise”

I’m always cautious when I hear of threats to our kids online. I want to make sure that what I’m hearing has validity. Basically, I don’t promote fear, but I do want to raise awareness. So when I first heard about the group known as “764,” I went looking for credible information.

The United States Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C. recently published a press release detailing a major takedown of this group—and it’s worth your attention. 

Who is the 764 Group?

“764” is a disturbing global network that operated an extensive online child exploitation and sextortion ring, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Members of this group used encrypted platforms to share and produce child sexual abuse material (CSAM), target minors for sextortion, and promote increasingly violent and harmful behaviors. These included encouraging children to harm themselves or die by suicide.

The group also created and traded digital “Lorebooks” filled with CSAM, gore, and violent content, treating them as a form of currency within the network to gain status or recruit new members. The DOJ report details how members trained each other in grooming tactics and set content production expectations for recruits. In many cases, they coerced victims into self-mutilation, online and in-person sexual acts, harming animals, sexually exploiting siblings or others, and committing or threatening acts of violence, suicide, and even murder.

Some key takeaways from the article:

• Over 1,400 children were identified as victims, and efforts to identify more are ongoing.
• The group operated on encrypted platforms, masquerading as safe spaces for minors.
• Law enforcement from 10 countries participated in the investigation.
• Two leaders of the group were arrested and charged with running this global operation.

What You Can Do as a Parent, Educator, or Mental Health Professional:

• Stay aware, not afraid: Use trusted sources—like the Department of Justice—to verify threats. Avoid panic but stay informed.
• Monitor online behavior: Know which apps, games, and platforms your children use. Look for red flags such as secrecy, withdrawal, or changes in mood.
• Build open communication: Create a safe space for kids to talk to you. Ask questions like: “Has anyone ever made you feel uncomfortable online?” or “Have you ever seen something you didn’t know how to handle?”
• Educate about sextortion and online grooming: Talk about how predators might act like peers and slowly build trust before making inappropriate requests.
• Use parental tools and privacy settings: Help kids adjust their privacy settings and explain why it’s important to only connect with people they know in real life.
• Explore more resources: You can also find valuable tools, articles, and conversation starters through trusted organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to help you navigate these difficult topics with kids.
  
  If we stay informed, connected, and vigilant, we can protect the next generation from these hidden online dangers.
  
  Take care,
  Ryan Klingensmith