The FBI has launched a nationwide investigation into a neo-Nazi sextortion ring that has infiltrated popular gaming platforms, trapping teenagers in a web of exploitation, blackmail, and extremist indoctrination.
Top Takeaways
- The neo-Nazi sextortion network “764” has over 250 FBI investigations open across every field office in the country
- Predators target children as young as nine on popular platforms like Discord and Roblox, coercing them into creating explicit content, self-harm, and animal cruelty
- The group blends neo-Nazi ideology with Satanism and aims to “destroy civilized society” through exploiting vulnerable minors
- At least 15 people have been arrested so far, including the group’s founder who is now serving an 80-year sentence
- The FBI’s Counterterrorism Division is treating this as domestic terrorism, with potentially thousands of victims worldwide
A Growing National Security Threat
The FBI has opened more than 250 investigations tied to a violent neo-Nazi network known as “764” that operates across popular online platforms where young people gather. Every FBI field office in the country is now involved in tracking this organization, which first came to the bureau’s attention in 2021 following an arrest in Queens on gun charges. The group, founded in 2020 by Bradley Cadenhead, has evolved into a decentralized movement with global reach, prompting the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division to classify it as a form of domestic terrorism.
Two suspected members, Prasan Nepa Leonidas Varagiannis and Prasan Nepal, were recently arrested as authorities work to dismantle the network. The organization is connected to the Order of Nine Angles, a decentralized Satanic, neo-Nazi organization that promotes extreme violence and social disruption. According to investigators, “764” specifically targets minors on gaming platforms like Roblox and communication apps like Discord, where children may be less supervised and more vulnerable to manipulation.
“764 is a network of nihilistic violent extremists … seeking to destroy civilized society through the corruption and exploitation of vulnerable populations, which often include minors,” the FBI said.
Escalating Patterns of Exploitation
The operation employed by “764” follows a disturbing pattern of escalating exploitation. Predators initially approach victims on gaming platforms or Discord, building rapport before coercing them into sharing compromising images. Once they obtain initial content, the blackmail begins – victims are forced to produce increasingly degrading material, harm themselves, torture animals, or commit other violent acts. FBI Assistant Director David Scott described the situation in stark terms, expressing how deeply disturbing these cases are, even for experienced investigators.
“We see a lot of bad things, but this is one of the most disturbing things we’re seeing,” said Scott.
Particularly disturbing is the network’s use of “watch parties” where multiple predators gather online to torment victims in real-time. The FBI reports that victims have been coerced into carving symbols into their bodies – what they call “cut signs” and “blood signs” – as part of the degradation process. The psychological damage to victims is profound, with some driven to the brink of suicide. The youngest known victim was just nine years old, with authorities estimating that thousands of children worldwide may have been affected.
ABC news is the first US mainstream media outlet to release a special investigative series on the 764 network. This video aired on ABC San Francisco tonight as the lead story! Full article in comments. pic.twitter.com/t0vNzCFoWm
— Bx (@bx_on_x) May 7, 2025
Parents Confront the Nightmare
The mother of a Connecticut teen who became entangled with “764” described the experience as “very scary and frightening.” Speaking anonymously to protect her daughter’s identity, she expressed shock at discovering her child’s involvement. “It was very difficult to process, because we didn’t raise her to engage in that kind of activity,” she told ABC News. Her daughter is now recovering with support, but many other families continue to deal with the aftermath of their children’s exploitation by this network.
Law Enforcement Response and Public Alert
The FBI is working with platform companies including Discord and Roblox, which have pledged to provide safer online environments and assist investigations. So far, at least 15 people have been arrested on charges related to “764” activities, including individuals like Jairo Tinajero and Jack Rocker. In one recent case, a Kentucky teen affiliated with the group made a hoax bomb threat to the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, leading to an evacuation and his subsequent arrest.
Jim Marshall, FBI Miami Public Information Officer, has issued an urgent plea: “The FBI is determined to identify and stop members of these networks who are targeting children and other vulnerable populations. We need the help of parents, teachers, and others who may become aware that a child is in danger.” Law enforcement officials are advising parents to monitor their children’s online activities closely and watch for signs of distress, withdrawal, or physical harm that could indicate involvement with these predators.
