FBI cracks down on international online child exploitation ring linked to group 764
Two men have been charged with leading an
international online child exploitation ring
reportedly linked to the
extremist group 764
. According to prosecutors, one of the men was arrested in North Carolina, while the other was apprehended in Greece.
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Prosecutors state the ring exploited at least eight minors across multiple jurisdictions. The United States District Court for the District of Columbia announced charges against
Leonidas Varagiannis
, 21, known as 'War,' and
Prasan Nepal
, 20, known as 'Trippy.' As per the court documents shared by prosecutors, an
FBI
agent stated that Varagiannis, Nepal, and other members of the group targeted vulnerable individuals, including girls with mental health issues.
The group is accused of grooming the girls, coercing them into sending intimate images, and forcing them to perform additional acts. Both Varagiannis and Nepal were arrested last month.
Prosecutors detail disturbing methods of online network targeting vulnerable minors
The two men charged with leading an international child exploitation ring allegedly operated within "764," a network that sexually extorts minors and celebrates violence, according to the Institute for Strategic Dialogue.
Court documents reveal that Varagiannis and Nepal allegedly recruited members based on the content they shared online and coordinated efforts to groom vulnerable girls, particularly those with mental health issues.
Prosecutors claim the group first earned victims' trust to obtain private information and intimate images, then used these materials to coerce increasingly extreme and degrading content. The alleged coercion included forcing victims to carve group members' names into their bodies, harm themselves, abuse family members or pets, and attempt suicide.
The group has been accused of compiling victims' images into "Lorebooks," which were valued as "currency" within the network and stored in online vaults.
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Members allegedly agreed to preserve this material if others were arrested.
Since 2021, at least ten people connected to 764 have been arrested for
sexual extortion
, possession of
child sexual abuse material
, or violent attacks.
Nepal, who prosecutors say helped found 764 in 2020-2021, was arrested in North Carolina. Varagiannis, who allegedly joined in December 2023 and helped determine group membership, was apprehended in Greece.
Both men face potential life sentences if convicted.
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