“This is one of the most disturbing things we’re seeing,” an FBI official said. FBI officials say they are growing increasingly concerned about a loose network of violent predators who befriend teenagers through popular online platforms and then coerce them into escalating sexual and violent behavior — pushing victims to create graphic pornography, harm family pets, cut themselves with sharp objects, or even die by suicide. The online predators, part of the network known as “764,” demand victims send them photos and videos of it all, so the shocking content can be shared with fellow 764 followers or used to extort victims for more. Some of the predators even host “watch parties” for others to watch them torment victims live online, according to authorities. “We see a lot of bad things, but this is one of the most disturbing things we’re seeing,” said FBI Assistant Director David Scott, the head of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, which is now leading many of the U.S. government’s investigations tied to 764. The FBI has more than 250 such investigations currently underway, with every single one of its 55 field offices across the country handling a 764-related case, Scott told ABC News in an exclusive interview. He said the FBI has seen some victims as young as nine, and federal authorities have indicated there could be thousands of victims around the world. ‘Nihilistic violent extremists’ “[It’s] very scary and frightening,” the Connecticut mother of a teen girl caught up in 764 told ABC News.
via abcnews: FBI has opened 250 investigations tied to violent online network ‘764’ that preys on teens, top official says
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