Latest news with #Lorebooks
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Time of India
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. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 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. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 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.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Leaders of global online extortion and exploitation group 764 charged
By AJ Vicens DETROIT (Reuters) - Two men alleged to have played key roles in the virulent online exploitation network known as 764 have been arrested and charged, and face potential life sentences in prison, the Department of Justice said. Leonidas Varagiannis, 21, and Prasan Nepal, 20, allegedly led a core subgroup of 764 known as '764 Inferno,' which targeted vulnerable people, including children, with tactics designed to induce self-harm, the DOJ said in a statement on Tuesday. The pair were also involved in making and distributing child sexual abuse material, which was combined with other 'gore and violent material to create digital 'Lorebooks,'" according to the DOJ, which were then traded among group members and treated as currency to recruit new members or maintain status within the network. Nepal, known as 'Trippy,' was arrested on April 22 in North Carolina. Varagiannis, known as 'War,' is a U.S. citizen living in Greece. He was arrested there on Monday. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C., did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Varagiannis' extradition. A federal public defender for Nepal did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An attorney for Varagiannis could not be located. The two men allegedly conspired with and directed at least half a dozen other people involved with the malicious activity, according to an FBI affidavit. The FBI warned of a sharp increase in 764 activity in a March 6 public service announcement. The DOJ refers to 764 as a 'nihilistic violent extremist" network. 764 is one of a number of online-based cybercrime networks within a broader network known as 'the Com,' which includes violent and cybercriminal activity. Allison Nixon, chief research officer for cybersecurity company Unit 221B, told Reuters that Varagiannis and Nepal are 'major actors,' and that their arrests are a positive development. 'Com-related crime waves are driven by a small number of highly prolific actors,' Nixon said. 'Arrests really are a winning strategy. Love to see it.'
Reuters
30-04-2025
- Reuters
Leaders of global online extortion and exploitation group 764 charged
DETROIT, April 30 (Reuters) - Two men alleged to have played key roles in the virulent online exploitation network known as 764 have been arrested and charged, and face potential life sentences in prison, the Department of Justice said. Leonidas Varagiannis, 21, and Prasan Nepal, 20, allegedly led a core subgroup of 764 known as '764 Inferno,' which targeted vulnerable people, including children, with tactics designed to induce self-harm, the DOJ said in a statement on Tuesday. The pair were also involved in making and distributing child sexual abuse material, which was combined with other 'gore and violent material to create digital 'Lorebooks,'" according to the DOJ, which were then traded among group members and treated as currency to recruit new members or maintain status within the network. Nepal, known as 'Trippy,' was arrested on April 22 in North Carolina. Varagiannis, known as 'War,' is a U.S. citizen living in Greece. He was arrested there on Monday. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C., did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Varagiannis' extradition. A federal public defender for Nepal did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An attorney for Varagiannis could not be located. The two men allegedly conspired with and directed at least half a dozen other people involved with the malicious activity, according to an FBI affidavit. The FBI warned of a sharp increase in 764 activity in a March 6 public service announcement. The DOJ refers to 764 as a 'nihilistic violent extremist" network. 764 is one of a number of online-based cybercrime networks within a broader network known as 'the Com,' which includes violent and cybercriminal activity. Allison Nixon, chief research officer for cybersecurity company Unit 221B, told Reuters that Varagiannis and Nepal are 'major actors,' and that their arrests are a positive development. 'Com-related crime waves are driven by a small number of highly prolific actors,' Nixon said. 'Arrests really are a winning strategy. Love to see it.'
