FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed that a sweeping federal crackdown is underway against a sinister online network known as “764”, which allegedly preys on young minors, including 11-year-olds and teenagers.
In a forceful update, Bongino revealed that the 764 network is a “heinous child-exploitation ring” that allegedly coerces vulnerable youth into disturbing behavior. Victims are said to be manipulated into self-harm, violent acts, and even sexual abuse. He emphasized that this group is now one of the bureau’s top priorities.
“We have more than 300 investigations connected to this network nationwide,” Bongino said, underscoring the scale and severity of the effort.
A Network of Manipulation and Extortion
According to Bongino’s comments, the 764 network operates primarily through social media platforms that are popular among minors, including Discord, Telegram, and gaming environments. The predators reportedly use tactics like coercion and blackmail—pressuring victims to produce harmful videos or content that can later be used to extort them.
In some cases, members are accused of forcing children to film acts of self-harm or animal abuse. Such content is then distributed among network members to intensify control and to demand more extreme actions.
Children Aged 11 and Up Among Alleged Victims
Bongino highlighted that some of the most shocking cases involve very young victims. In one instance, an individual in FBI custody is accused of targeting five minors, including a 13-year-old. In another case, prosecutors allege a subgroup of the network coerced children between the ages of 11 and 15 into producing illicit content.
Alleged crimes linked to affiliates include distributing child pornography, cyberstalking, and “conspiring to provide material support to terrorists,” according to Bongino’s account. He warned that the behavior goes far beyond ordinary online manipulation.
Roots of the 764 Network and Broader Extremism
The 764 network traces its origins to Bradley “Felix” Cadenhead, a teenager from Texas who allegedly founded the group. It reportedly evolved into a broader ecosystem of extremist and “gore-obsessed” subcommunities.
Experts say the network is not only about exploitation but also serves as a recruitment tool for dangerous ideologies, including neo-Nazism and Satanism. Disturbing links have been drawn between 764’s core members and extremist, cult-like movements.
FBI’s Nationwide Crackdown
Bongino said the FBI’s intensified campaign against 764 reflects its role as a top institutional threat. With hundreds of active investigations spread across the country, the Bureau says it’s running a large-scale operation to dismantle the network and rescue victims.
Law enforcement officials are calling on parents to increase vigilance: monitor children’s online activity, look for sudden behavior changes, and understand the platforms where predators may operate. According to Bongino, the fight to shut down 764 will be long and complex—but it is already in motion.
Experts Warn Parents to Stay Vigilant
Cybersecurity experts and former FBI analysts echo Bongino’s urgency. They warn that 764’s recruitment strategies are sophisticated, relying on psychological manipulation rather than brute force. Vulnerable youth—particularly those suffering from loneliness, depression, or low self-esteem—are at greater risk.
One expert described 764’s grooming tactics as “love-bombing,” in which predators feign friendship and emotional support before escalating to coercion. Once trust is established, they escalate demands, sometimes threatening to expose victims’ worst moments if they refuse to comply.
A Call to Action
As the FBI continues its campaign, Bongino reinforced that dismantling the network requires not just law enforcement but also community vigilance.
“We are working day and night … this network is a top priority,” he said.
He urged parents, educators, and online platforms to join the effort—and to take seriously the threat posed by a group that may be exploiting children under the guise of online connection.
