Online Cult '764' Exploits and Extorts Minors
Europol-coordinated operations in February 2026 led to 30 arrests and identified 179 suspects linked to 'The Com,' an online cybercrime collective that includes the subgroup '764,' known for grooming and extorting minors. As of February 27, 2026: Baron Cain Martin, an alleged leader of '764,' faces 29 federal counts for authoring a guide on grooming and extorting juvenile victims. The FBI is investigating over 450 similar cases nationwide, with federal authorities classifying '764' as a 'tier one' threat and a 'new form of modern-day terrorism' targeting children online. Two alleged leaders, Leonidas Varagiannis and Prasan Nepal, were arrested in May 2025, and Canada officially designated '764' as a terrorist entity in December 2025.
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Track this story2026
6 updates
2026
6 updatesA Europol-coordinated operation in February 2026 led to 30 arrests and identified 179 suspects linked to 'The Com,' an online cybercrime collective that includes the subgroup '764,' known for grooming and extorting minors. In May 2025, two alleged leaders of '764,' Leonidas Varagiannis and Prasan Nepal, were arrested and charged for their roles in facilitating the exploitation of minors.
via CyberScoop·ksltv.com
Baron Cain Martin, an alleged leader of the violent online extremist network '764', faces 29 federal counts for allegedly authoring a guide on grooming and extorting juvenile victims, particularly those with mental health issues. The indictment claims the guide instructed members on how to blackmail victims for extreme violence and self-mutilation videos.
Matthew Edward Pysher, 18, was arrested and federally charged for allegedly grooming a 13-year-old girl to send him explicit material and self-harm images, and luring her to a motel. The FBI is investigating over 450 similar cases nationwide, indicating a rapidly growing threat associated with the '764' network.
via cyberscoop.com
The FBI has opened investigations into 250 individuals affiliated with the online group '764', which exploits minors and encourages self-harm. In a separate development, a youth in New Brunswick was placed on a peace bond after ties to the '764 Network' were revealed by the RCMP, who allege the youth promoted the group's violent ideology and recruitment efforts.
via CBC News·The Guardian
Federal authorities expressed significant concern over the rise of the global '764' sextortion cult, which targets minors and engages in torture, with the FBI classifying it as a 'tier one' threat. [cite: Source URL]
via en.wikipedia.org·theguardian.com·gnet-research.org·justice.gov
The Department of Homeland Security highlighted '764' as one of the most frequently mentioned 'Com' networks, noting its creation in 2021 and the emergence of many subgroups under its umbrella. The report emphasized that these communities often involve peer-on-peer crimes among children.
via en.wikipedia.org·theguardian.com·gnet-research.org·justice.gov
2025
8 updates
2025
8 updatesThe FBI is now investigating over 350 individuals connected to the '764' network, an online group that coerces minors into violence, self-harm, and sexual exploitation. Two alleged leaders of the network, Leonidas Varagiannis and Prasan Nepal, have been arrested and charged.
via foxnews.com
The FBI referred to '764' as a 'new form of modern-day terrorism' targeting children online, exploiting them for violent and sexual content, and blackmailing them into self-mutilation or other violent acts, often streamed online.
via en.wikipedia.org·theguardian.com·gnet-research.org·justice.gov
Canada officially designated '764' and the 'Maniac Murder Cult' as terrorist entities, citing growing international concern over Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE). New Zealand also took similar action against related groups.
via en.wikipedia.org·theguardian.com·gnet-research.org·justice.gov
Erik Lee Madison, a member of the violent extremist network '764', has been charged with multiple counts including sexual exploitation of a child and cyberstalking. Additionally, Alexis Aldair Chavez, another member of '764', has pleaded guilty to racketeering activity and charges related to the sexual exploitation of children.
via justice.gov·fbi.gov
The FBI opened investigations into 250 individuals affiliated with the online group '764' in May 2025, which exploits and coerces minors into creating explicit material and engaging in self-harm. In April 2025, alleged leaders Leonidas Varagiannis and Prasan Nepal were arrested and charged with operating an international child exploitation enterprise known as '764 Inferno.' The group has been noted for using cybercriminal tactics like SIM swapping and IP grabbing to commit violent crimes.
The FBI revealed it was investigating 250 individuals affiliated with '764' and similar networks, with all 55 field offices involved. The agency warned of the network's violent, predatory behavior targeting vulnerable individuals.
via en.wikipedia.org·theguardian.com·gnet-research.org·justice.gov
Leonidas Varagiannis and Prasan Nepal, identified as leaders of a '764' subgroup called '764 Inferno', were arrested and charged with operating an international child exploitation enterprise. They allegedly directed victims to commit self-harm and engaged in extreme violence.
via en.wikipedia.org·theguardian.com·gnet-research.org·justice.gov
Canadian police identified the first official '764' case in Canada, arresting a 14-year-old. The RCMP began to consider '764' a terror threat, noting its members prowl popular platforms to lure minors into private groups for exploitation and self-harm.
via en.wikipedia.org·theguardian.com·gnet-research.org·justice.gov
2024
3 updates
2024
3 updatesU.S. Senator Mark Warner pressed Discord about its failure to safeguard minors and prevent the proliferation of violent predatory groups, in response to the FBI's bulletin on '764'.
via en.wikipedia.org·theguardian.com·gnet-research.org·justice.gov
The RCMP in Newfoundland and Labrador issued a news release warning parents about online groups, including '764', after an anonymous tip about a child being targeted.
via en.wikipedia.org·theguardian.com·gnet-research.org·justice.gov
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's CyberTipline received over 1,300 reports connected to groups like '764', a more than 200% increase from the previous year, indicating a significant rise in reported incidents.
via en.wikipedia.org·theguardian.com·gnet-research.org·justice.gov
2023
2 updates
2023
2 updatesThe FBI issued its first public bulletin warning about the '764' network, classifying it as a 'tier one' threat due to its potential impact on national and economic security.
via en.wikipedia.org·theguardian.com·gnet-research.org·justice.gov
Bradley Chance Cadenhead, the founder of '764', was arrested and sentenced to 80 years in prison. However, the network continued to operate with other individuals taking leadership roles.
via en.wikipedia.org·theguardian.com·gnet-research.org·justice.gov
2021
2 updates
2021
2 updatesDiscord identified '764' and its users, reporting them to law enforcement. The platform has since invested in moderation tools and techniques to disrupt the group's activities.
via en.wikipedia.org·theguardian.com·gnet-research.org·justice.gov
The '764' network emerged, founded by then-15-year-old Bradley Cadenhead, who learned exploitation techniques on a Discord server. The group initially focused on sextortion and distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), drawing inspiration from earlier networks like 'CVLT'.
via en.wikipedia.org·theguardian.com·gnet-research.org·justice.gov
Story began · 5 years, 3 mo ago