CHAMBLEE, Ga. – The FBI and Atlanta Police Department are combining resources to combat a violent, nihilistic extremist network known as 764 that is targeting Georgia children through online grooming and coercion.
Vulnerable children targeted by online predators
What we know:
The 764 network builds trust with children on private platforms before using intimidation to control them. According to investigators, the group coerces victims into producing or sharing extreme gore and child sexual abuse material. “The group lures the children, in some cases as young as nine years old, to private platforms and then groom them through intimidation and abuse,” Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said.
Officials say the group turns everyday technology into a tool for harm, often convincing victims to self-harm, commit animal cruelty, or act out in violence. In some cases, the young victims become predators themselves to gain status within the group through “cruelty, abuse and other criminal actions.”
What we don’t know:
Authorities have not released the specific names of the private platforms the group uses to target children. While over 50 cases are being investigated in Georgia, the total number of victims nationwide remains unclear.
FBI & APD: ‘764’ Extremist Groups Targeting Georgia Teens
In a joint media conference held today at FBI Atlanta Headquarters, federal and local authorities issued a dire warning about a shadowy online extremist network known as “764.” Officials describe the group as a decentralized, nihilistic movement that preys on vulnerable children and teenagers, forcing them into a cycle of “modern-day terrorism.”
Local bomb threats linked to network
Local perspective:
The Atlanta Police Department has flagged several cases involving bomb threats against local businesses and schools in the city. Investigators believe these threats were carried out by juveniles with ties to the 764 network. Sgt. Brian Hill of the APD noted that while the targets were in Atlanta, the suspects identified in these cases lived in different states. “Money was requested in exchange for not detonating bombs,” Hill said.
Recognizing the signs of online coercion
What you can do:
Police are urging parents, caregivers, and educators to stay vigilant and watch for specific warning signs of self-harm or suicide. Brian Ozden, FBI Atlanta Assistant Special Agent in Charge, said parents should look for children who have recently met a new friend on an online network and seem “infatuated or even possibly scared.” Other red flags include carving on their skin or openly talking about death.