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The FBI is warning of an online global child predator network known as 764 that exploits children as young as nine years old.
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The FBI warns a global network of violent criminals preying on teens and adolescents
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via online platforms like Discord, Roblox and Telegram. Authorities say they're part of a group known as 764, whose members extort victims by coercing
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them into sending photos and videos of violent or sexual acts while sometimes hosting watch
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parties among followers. FBI Assistant Director David Scott gave ABC News some of the
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the details. They will encourage them sometimes to commit suicide. They will encourage them to do
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cutting. They will encourage them to harm their pets. They're using basically psychological warfare
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on children. That's right. They gain the trust and then they continue to build that trust to the
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point where they have power and the ability to blackmail the child basically. Scott says the FBI
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is combing through more than 250 investigations linked to 764 across the U.S. with some victims
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as young as nine, adding the department suspects there may be thousands of victims across the globe
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Connecticut parents who wish to conceal their identities tell ABC News their teen daughter was
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lured in by 764. It was very difficult to process. Authorities say 764 has the capability to influence
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from afar, pointing to one case last year of a teen honor roll student in Vernon, Connecticut
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assisting in leveling bomb threats against her community under the guidance of the group
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Investigators later found pornographic images of the girl photos of self and paying tribute to 764 on her devices According to cases reviewed by ABC News across the U at least 15 people have been arrested on child porn or weapons charges associated with the group Two of the
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most recent arrests reportedly involve a pair of men charged with operating 764. They are identified
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as a 20-year-old nicknamed Trippi who was arrested in North Carolina and a 21-year-old U.S. citizen
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arrested in Greece. Police say the men were leaders within the group and victimized at least
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eight minors, some as young as 13. Investigators say victims are blackmailed into committing acts
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of violence, pictures of pornography, and progressively ramp up threats. A Canadian
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father tells Fifth Estate, a Canadian investigative documentary program, his daughter died by suicide
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after becoming a victim of 764. End of June, that's when I saw the cuts on her arm. The following
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week, she carved the name culprit in one of her legs. When I spoke to her, she said I was part of
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a cult and I was overwhelmed, but I wanted to just receive and hear information. As for the parents
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from Connecticut, they tell ABC News their daughter's story should serve as a cautionary tale
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If we can help just one family, then it's worth it. Discord and Roblox responded to the report
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saying they are committed to providing safety for users and say they've introduced safeguards to
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protect children. Investigators warn parents to look out for potential warning signs, like wearing
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long-sleeved shirts to conceal self-harm and to monitor their kids' online activity. For more on
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this story, download the Straight Arrow News app or visit san.com. For Straight Arrow News, I'm Kaylee Carey
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