Crete teenager jailed pending trial over ‘764’ network that blackmailed and abused children online
- Written by E.Tsiliopoulos
Part of a global network that drives pre-adolescent children to sexploitation, self harm and mental torture, a 17-year-old from Gazi, Heraklion, has been remanded in custody over his alleged role in the international extremist network known as “764”. The network has been found to target minors online, sexually blackmailing them and pushing some victims towards and suicidal acts.
The teenager was arrested during a major nationwide operation by Greece’s Cybercrime Prosecution Unit, in cooperation with US authorities. He is one of two 17-year-olds arrested in Greece in connection with the network. Following a prosecutor’s recommendation and a decision by the competent judicial council, he was ordered to be held in custody.
His outward profile and alleged online activity
According to the case file, the 17-year-old had not previously come to the attention of the authorities for delinquent behaviour and appeared to have a quiet demeanour in everyday life. Online, however, he is alleged to have targeted minors, including girls under the age of 12.
Investigators allege that the teenager blackmailed and intimidated minors, subjecting them to extreme psychological pressure. He is also accused of coercing them into sending explicit images and child sexual abuse material, as well as pushing them towards self-harm and suicidal acts.
Evidence seized from his home
During a search of his home in Heraklion, Crete, authorities seized a mobile phone, a computer and an external hard drive.
According to the case file, the devices contained videos involving the sexual abuse of minors under the age of 12, as well as images of underage girls involved in acts of self-harm.
The international 764 network
The 17-year-old from Crete and another 17-year-old from northern Greece are alleged to have been involved in “Circuit 764”, also known as the Com/764 network. Authorities describe it as one of the most dangerous decentralised international networks involved in the online sexual exploitation of minors. It is understood to have begun organised activity in 2021.
The network was founded by Bradley Chance Cadenhead, then a 15-year-old American known online as “felix” or “brad764”, in Stephenville, Texas. The name “764” is reported to come from the first three digits of the ZIP code in his area. It began through Discord servers and later developed into a recruitment hub linked to hacking, swatting and sextortion. It is now considered part of the wider “Com Network”.
How the 764 network operates
“764” is not considered a conventional hierarchical organisation. It is described instead as a decentralised hybrid network, with autonomous splinter groups and copycats. Its methods are systematic and highly violent.
Victims are mainly children and teenagers, with authorities reporting that the network targets minors aged between eight and 17. Vulnerable children, including girls, LGBTQ+ minors and children with mental health issues, are considered common targets. Contact is made through platforms including Discord, Telegram, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok, as well as online games such as Roblox and Minecraft.
Members are alleged to use social engineering techniques, including feigned friendship, romantic interest or excessive attention, to gain a child’s trust. Once an initial piece of material is obtained, the blackmail begins. Victims may then be pressured to produce increasingly extreme material, including sexual images, videos of abuse or self-harm, and other violent content.
The material is allegedly shared in closed Discord and Telegram groups. According to investigators, the more extreme the material a member obtains, the higher their status within the group. Authorities have also referred to training material used by members, including so-called sextortion guides for new recruits.
In addition to sextortion and the distribution of child sexual abuse material, members are accused of engaging in swatting, doxing, SIM swapping and sustained harassment intended to silence victims.
Authorities say the motives are primarily sadism, control and status within the network. In some cases, there may also be financial gain from the sale of material on the dark web. The network is not considered strictly ideological, although some subgroups have been linked to neo-Nazi or satanic influences.
The ongoing investigation
The case is being investigated by Greece’s Cybercrime Prosecution Unit and the Cybercrime Prosecution Sub-Directorate of Northern Greece, with assistance from foreign authorities, including the FBI and Europol.
Investigators are examining the extent of the network’s activity in Greece, the possible existence of other victims and the potential involvement of additional accomplices.
The 764 network is considered extremely dangerous and has led to dozens of arrests internationally. Greek authorities are continuing to monitor its activity closely.
