Is Your Child Safe Online? The FBI Just Uncovered a Secret That Will Shock You!

By India McCarty

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is actively pursuing approximately 250 investigations aimed at dismantling a dangerous network of online predators.

“We’re uncovering some truly disturbing content, marking this as one of the most concerning issues we’ve encountered,” stated FBI Assistant Director David Scott, who leads the Counterterrorism Division, in an interview with ABC News. This division is spearheading many of the investigations into the group known as 764.

764 represents a network of predators who establish connections with teenagers online and then manipulate them into participating in increasingly graphic and violent acts. This can range from creating explicit pornography to inflicting harm on themselves, family pets, or even tragically, leading to suicide.

“The more extreme the violence and gore, the higher their standing within these groups,” Scott explained. “Inflicting the most harm on victims becomes a perverse badge of honor… They aim to desensitize these young individuals to the point where nothing truly affects them anymore.”

Vernon police detective Tommy Van Tasel added, “It’s less about a specific group and more about a disturbing ideology. The name they use doesn’t matter. Numerous individuals are out there promoting this type of behavior. It’s prevalent everywhere, infiltrating every community.”

Kathryn Rifenbark, Director of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline, emphasized to The Guardian, “It’s essential that law enforcement investigates these perpetrators of abuse to determine if they can successfully prosecute them.”

Over the past several years, both state and federal authorities have apprehended at least 15 individuals on charges related to child pornography or weapons, with court accusations linking them to 764, according to ABC News.

Related: Is Your Child Using This Chat App? It Could Expose Them to Online Predators

Two individuals believed to be leaders within 764 were taken into custody earlier this year. Leonidas Varagiannis, 21, and Prasan Nepal, 20, are accused of instructing victims to engage in self-harm, subjecting minors to psychological abuse, and providing guidance on how to recruit new members.

U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated concerning their arrest, “These defendants are accused of masterminding one of the most appalling online child exploitation schemes we have ever encountered – a network built upon terror, abuse, and the calculated targeting of children. We are committed to identifying and prosecuting those who exploit and abuse children, and to dismantling every aspect of their operations.”

For parents concerned about their children potentially encountering 764 online, Scott advises maintaining awareness of their child’s online activities and engaging in conversations about online safety. He also suggests watching for changes in behavior, unexplained injuries to pets, or evidence of self-harm.

While the FBI and other agencies are actively working to shut down 764, it’s vital for parents to remain vigilant about their children’s online presence.

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