The Boston Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning parents, guardians, and caregivers about a sharp increase in the activity of “764” and other violent online networks targeting and exploiting children and other vulnerable individuals across the United States and here in New England.

The FBI is investigating over 350 subjects nationwide who are tied to violent online networks commonly referred to as “764,” but there are many other offshoot networks and names. All 56 FBI field offices across the country are involved in these investigations, including FBI Boston.

“Simply put, what these juvenile predators are doing is depraved, and the tactics they’re using are ruthless. They’re pressuring at-risk youth and other vulnerable individuals into producing sexually explicit and harmful material to extort them. It’s sickening, really,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “We’re sounding the alarm on this extremely disturbing trend in hopes of preventing more children from becoming victims. By recognizing the warning signs, you can help protect your child from harm and help us stop a predator from hurting another child.”

The FBI is growing increasingly concerned about these networks of violent predators who befriend minors and other vulnerable individuals through popular online platforms and coerce them into escalating sexual and violent behavior, pushing victims to create graphic content and child sexual abuse material (CSAM), sexually exploit siblings, harm family pets, cut themselves with sharp objects, or attempt suicide. Some of these predators even watch live-streamed self-harm and other violent content and circulate it to continue to extort their victims and exert control. It’s a tactic known as Sadistic Online Exploitation. Here in FBI Boston’s area of responsibility, there have been instances where members of these networks have utilized doxing and swatting as an intimidation tactic to coerce victims into performing increasingly degrading and violent acts.

The term Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE) refers to what is motivating most of these subjects to commit criminal acts. They want to sow chaos and facilitate the destruction of society. These extremists often emerge from decentralized online networks and subcultures that glorify violence, mass killers, and self-harm. However, not all participants in these violent online networks are motivated by NVE. These subjects may be engaging in criminal activity for sexual gratification, social status, a sense of belonging, or for a mix of other reasons. Each case is evaluated individually to determine if Nihilistic Violent Extremism is involved. Regardless of motivation, the FBI takes each case seriously and works with its domestic and foreign law enforcement partners to ensure offenders are held accountable.

Victims are typically underage females between the ages of 10 and 17 years old, but anyone can be targeted. They often lack a stable support network and may suffer from mental health issues, such as depression, eating disorders, or suicidal ideation. They typically have unfettered access to the Internet, are disconnected, and believe they are communicating with someone their own age. Threat actors often groom victims by first establishing a trusting or romantic relationship before eventually manipulating and coercing them into engaging in escalating harmful behavior designed to shame and isolate them.

FBI Boston is leveraging the expertise of its agents, task force officers, and analysts in both its counterterrorism and crimes against children programs to counter this growing threat.

Additionally, FBI Boston is working with its law enforcement and community partners, including school resource officers and administrators, to educate them about this troubling trend, how to recognize the signs a child may be in danger, and how to build cases on the perpetrators to hold them accountable.

FBI Boston wants to ensure parents, guardians, and caregivers are armed with information about red flags to watch for, including changes in behavior that could indicate online exploitation in an open letter to parents.

Potential signs of victimization include:

• Sudden behavior changes such as becoming withdrawn, moody, or irritable
• Changes in appearance, including neglect of appearance or hiding specific body parts
• Changes in eating or sleeping habits
• Signs of animal cruelty
• Unexplained harm to younger siblings
• Threatening to commit suicide and openly talking about death, “not being wanted or needed,” or “not being around”
• Scars, often in patterns, including 764 related terms or names from online platforms
• Fresh cuts, scratches, bruises, bite marks, burns, or other wounds
• Reports of personally identifying information being posted online for victimization (commonly referred to as a “Dox”)
• Unexpected texts or phone calls about the child from unknown numbers to the home
• Sudden and unexplained gifts or packages arriving for the child to the home