Overview
- The FBI describes 764 as a loosely organized online network that grooms minors and vulnerable people before coercing escalating sexual exploitation, violence, and self-harm.
- Agents report offenders pressuring victims to produce graphic CSAM, harm pets, cut themselves, or attempt suicide, with some abuse encouraged over livestreams.
- The bureau says it has provided specialized training across all field offices and is coordinating with domestic and international law enforcement to identify and charge suspects.
- Prosecutors previously charged alleged leaders Leonidas Varagiannis and Prasan Nepal with operating an international child exploitation enterprise, with potential life sentences if convicted.
- The FBI’s Los Angeles office arrested 27-year-old Dong Hwan Kim in August, and he was charged with possession of child pornography carrying a maximum 20-year federal sentence, while senators introduced ECCHO, SAFE, and Stop Sextortion bills to stiffen penalties for online coercion and CSAM-related crimes.