A 15-year-old from the Edmonton area has been charged with a terrorism-related offence, marking a disturbing development in an international investigation into a violent and predatory online extremist group.
The youth, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was arrested on May 12 by the RCMP’s Federal Policing Northwest Region National Security Enforcement Team. The charge laid under Section 810.011 of the Criminal Code(a “fear of terrorism” peace bond) does not mean a crime has been committed, but rather that authorities believe one is likely unless steps are taken to prevent it.
'764' terrorism network
According to the RCMP, investigators believe the teen is connected to the COM/764 network, a shadowy online ecosystem of violent predators. “The 764 network is a transnational online ecosystem of violent online predators who routinely lure youth, particularly those in vulnerable sectors, and encourage them to commit sexual acts, self-harm, and the torture of animals,” RCMP said in a statement.
The network exploits popular platforms like Minecraft and Roblox, coaxing children into private channels on Discord and Telegram, where the real damage begins.
RCMP describe it as a system of calculated psychological manipulation, often targeting neurodivergent or otherwise vulnerable youth.
“The elements of the COM/764 network are known to have extreme ideological views,” the statement continued, “and are victimizing children through desensitizing and radicalizing them to violence.”
The teen remains in custody, with a bail hearing scheduled for June 3 at the Alberta Court of Justice in Edmonton.
While the alleged connection is under investigation, this arrest is part of a broader law enforcement crackdown.
Crackdown in the US
The US Department of Justice recently charged several alleged leaders of the 764 group’s subfaction, “764 Inferno,” with running a global child exploitation ring. The FBI has reportedly opened more than 250 related investigations in all 55 of its field offices.
The news is sending shockwaves through communities and households. Parents are now urged to remain vigilant about their children’s online behavior, especially in spaces once considered harmless, like gaming platforms.
"This isn’t just about bad actors in dark corners of the web anymore," said one cybersecurity expert. "This is about how extremist ideology is being packaged as a game and sold to children."
The youth, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was arrested on May 12 by the RCMP’s Federal Policing Northwest Region National Security Enforcement Team. The charge laid under Section 810.011 of the Criminal Code(a “fear of terrorism” peace bond) does not mean a crime has been committed, but rather that authorities believe one is likely unless steps are taken to prevent it.
'764' terrorism network
According to the RCMP, investigators believe the teen is connected to the COM/764 network, a shadowy online ecosystem of violent predators. “The 764 network is a transnational online ecosystem of violent online predators who routinely lure youth, particularly those in vulnerable sectors, and encourage them to commit sexual acts, self-harm, and the torture of animals,” RCMP said in a statement.
The network exploits popular platforms like Minecraft and Roblox, coaxing children into private channels on Discord and Telegram, where the real damage begins.
RCMP describe it as a system of calculated psychological manipulation, often targeting neurodivergent or otherwise vulnerable youth.
“The elements of the COM/764 network are known to have extreme ideological views,” the statement continued, “and are victimizing children through desensitizing and radicalizing them to violence.”
The teen remains in custody, with a bail hearing scheduled for June 3 at the Alberta Court of Justice in Edmonton.
While the alleged connection is under investigation, this arrest is part of a broader law enforcement crackdown.
Crackdown in the US
The US Department of Justice recently charged several alleged leaders of the 764 group’s subfaction, “764 Inferno,” with running a global child exploitation ring. The FBI has reportedly opened more than 250 related investigations in all 55 of its field offices.
The news is sending shockwaves through communities and households. Parents are now urged to remain vigilant about their children’s online behavior, especially in spaces once considered harmless, like gaming platforms.
"This isn’t just about bad actors in dark corners of the web anymore," said one cybersecurity expert. "This is about how extremist ideology is being packaged as a game and sold to children."
