Network 764 is only part of a growing online ecosystem that draws minors into brutal and degrading crimes. This movement has victims and perpetrators in dozens of countries, The Guardian writes.

At the end of 2024, in a suburb of Stockholm, a 14-year-old stabbed an 80-year-old man three times in the back. The video was livestreamed and quickly spread online, adding to the content of a global online environment promoting the “gamification of violence.”

The attacker was linked to the 764 network. Such groups find victims among minors on gaming platforms (Roblox, Minecraft) and in themed communities for people with mental health problems. Through blackmail and extortion, they force them to injure themselves and commit crimes.

The 764 network was founded by Texas teenager Bradley Cadenhead, who is currently serving an 80-year sentence in the United States for possessing child sexual abuse material. However, the structure he created continues to exist.

Police note a dangerous trend: in order to break free from the pressure of online bullies, yesterday’s victims become recruiters and aggressors themselves.

The case of the coordinator “Chai”

During the investigation into the Swedish attack, the nickname of an online handler surfaced, provided by a female victim from Australia.

“Chai” turned out to be a teenager from northern Sweden (his name has not been disclosed). He is accused of more than 70 crimes: incitement to suicide, self-harm, and the creation of illegal content. Among his victims is a young man from Germany who barely survived a suicide attempt. The proceedings are currently suspended pending a forensic psychiatric evaluation.

According to prosecutors, “Chai” was part of the elite group “764 Inferno.” In such chats, creating new violent content serves as an “entry ticket” and a way to raise one’s status. The defense claims that the defendant’s role was limited to video editing.

Global scale

Researchers have already counted more than 295 arrests in 33 countries linked to the parent network Com (which includes 764):

  • United States: In 2025, the Justice Department charged “764 Inferno” moderators Leonidas Varagiannis and Prasan Nepal.

  • New Zealand: In 2025, 22-year-old Ronndog Keef was sentenced to 5 years in prison for distributing violent materials involving children.

  • United Kingdom: 19-year-old Cameron Finnigan was sentenced to 9 years for possessing instructions on carrying out terrorist attacks and driving people to suicide. In June 2026, another British teenager who had been seeking victims on Roblox and Discord was also charged.

The FBI calls this “nihilistic extremism.” Experts emphasize that the groups’ symbolism (from occultism to neo-Nazism) is not a political ideology but merely a marker of belonging to a “closed club.” The criminals’ main goal is a thirst for power and control over the victim.

What parents should watch for

Experts warn that the main misconception remains the belief that this can happen only to “troubled” children.

Key warning signs:

  • The appearance of cuts and physical injuries;

  • Sudden withdrawal and distancing from the family;

  • Secretive behavior when using gadgets.