Special Agent Thomas Spring has spent decades investigating the darkest corners of the internet, but the longtime agent said he’s never encountered a group as insidious as a growing threat that targets children.
Known by federal authorities as 764, this esoteric network has emerged as a domestic terrorism threat, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, due to their tactics of psychologically manipulating minors into self-harm acts.
However, “calling them a group isn’t really accurate,” Spring said, a senior investigator with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) who coordinates closely with the FBI.
“764 is more like a decentralized online ecosystem; There’s no hierarchy, no leader,” he added. “They are just a loosely connected community of individuals who share the goal to manipulate, coerce, and traumatize.”
And the threat has only gotten worse.
Growing digital threat
In 2023, hundreds of cases flooded into the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, prompting urgent warnings from military leaders who fear families may be especially vulnerable.
Originally founded in 2021, 764 evolved from earlier online predator groups. The group primarily operates on publicly available online platforms, such as social media sites, gaming platforms, and mobile applications commonly used by young people.
“In the early days, the online content had extremist overtones, but more recently it’s become less ideological and more about pure destruction,” Spring said. “These individuals focus on creating and sharing content that is designed to erode moral boundaries and inflict harm.”
Law enforcement agencies classify 764 as an ideologically violent extremist network. The FBI considers it among the most serious threats to children today Spring said.
According to Spring, 764 seeks individuals who are isolated, emotionally vulnerable, or seeking connection. What starts as a friendly message or supportive conversation can quickly turn into something far more sinister.
“They’ll infiltrate support groups or gaming platforms, occasionally working in pairs,” he said. “One poses as an aggressor, while the other plays the rescuer. Over time, they build trust with the victim, gain compromising images or details and then begin the extortion.”
The techniques used in this online ecosystem go well beyond traditional forms of blackmail. For example, victims are coerced into degrading acts and self-harm, while under threat of exposure.
“These aren’t just cases of manipulation,” Spring said. “What we’re seeing is far more insidious. Victims are forced into increasingly dangerous situations, and the people behind it celebrate that. They encourage it. They try to outdo each other.”
Spring described a chilling pattern of individuals coerced into hurting themselves on camera, harming pets, or live-streaming abuse. In the worst cases, victims have killed themselves while being watched by their tormentors.
“I’ve been doing this work for almost 30 years, and what I’ve seen in this arena is the most disturbing content I’ve encountered in my career,” he said.
Threat to military community
While many of the group’s victims are minors, military personnel are also vulnerable, Spring said, especially young service members.
“Predators know service members have a lot to lose, like their reputations, careers and clearances,” he said. “That makes them prime targets for manipulation. Someone who’s isolated at a new duty station or going through personal stress might just be looking for connection, and that’s what these people exploit.”
Spring added that dependents, especially teenagers in military families, often experience isolation due to frequent moves or parental deployments. These factors can lead to increased time spent online, where risk multiplies.
“We’ve had cases involving dependents, service members, and even recruits in the pipeline. It’s not limited to one group or age,” he said.
“And because of the way this ecosystem works, these connections can escalate quickly and invisibly.”
According to Spring, victims often show signs of distress, like changes in mood, behavior, or online habits. They may become withdrawn, secretive, or anxious.
“Military dependents, particularly children of service members, may be at higher risk because of the nature of military life,” Spring said. “Frequent moves can isolate them from peer groups and social networks. Parents may be deployed, and in those transitions, children can be more likely to seek support or connection online.”
Recognizing patterns
In some cases, victims may receive unexplained gifts or exhibit signs of self-harm. But perhaps most concerning is that many don’t feel they can talk to anyone about what’s happening.
“These predators are incredibly manipulative,” Spring said. “They know how to gain trust and isolate someone from their support network.
That’s why it’s so important to create space for victims to come forward without shame or fear.”
Spring added that even parents who think their children are safe should stay informed about what their kids are doing online and keep communication open and judgment-free.
“Make sure your kids feel safe coming to you,” he said. “Victims often feel ashamed or afraid and that silence is exactly what predators count on.”
Spring urges service members and families to take proactive steps. For example, avoid sharing personal details online, especially in unfamiliar communities or private chats, he said.
“This isn’t just about kids or teens. It’s about all of us,” Spring said. “Education is the frontline defense. We can’t monitor every message or app, but we can empower people to recognize the danger and speak up before it escalates.”
Spring also encouraged leaders and supervisors to maintain an open-door culture. Many victims don’t know where to turn, especially in environments where vulnerability might be seen as weakness.
For additional support, resources are available through Military OneSource, local mental health clinics, and your base AFOSI detachment.
“These predators thrive in the anonymity of the internet and prey on the most vulnerable of our society,” said Special Agent Mark Walker, executive director of the AFOSI Center. “Law enforcement cannot do it alone- we rely on the entire community of family, friends, faith leaders, teachers, caregivers and others to spot and assess indicators of online coercion.”
“To counter the threat, we must share threat information and tactics used on our most impressionable population,” Walker said. “We ask that you educate yourself and begin the conversation in your community.”