The Department of Justice has announced that two men, one in Thessaloniki, Greece, and the other in North Carolina, have been arrested for their roles in leading a global child exploitation ring.
These arrests are just the beginning — the FBI is reportedly investigating hundreds of suspects involved in the group, and parents should always be on the lookout for signs that their children are at risk.
The Arrests So Far
On April 30th, the DOJ announced that two men had been arrested:
“Leonidas Varagiannis, also known as “War,” 21, a citizen of the United States residing in Thessaloniki, Greece, and Prasan Nepal, also known as “Trippy,” 20, of North Carolina.”
The release details just some of what the group is known for doing to children.
“Veragiannis and Nepal allegedly ordered their victims to commit acts of self-harm and engaged in psychological torment and extreme violence against minors. The affidavit alleges that the group targeted vulnerable children online, coercing them into producing degrading and explicit content under threat and manipulation. This content includes ‘cut signs’ and ‘blood signs’ through which young girls would cut symbols into their bodies.”
The organization reportedly believes in an ideology that calls for accelerationism — making an effort to bring about the destruction of society and government at an increased rate. They target vulnerable populations, including children, as a path to that end.
What’s Happening Next?
Presan Nepal has had a court appearance in North Carolina, and both defendants will have further hearings scheduled in Washington, D.C. If convicted, they could face sentences up to and including life in prison.
According to ABC, the FBI has 250 separate investigations open, at least one in every 55 field offices. In other words, the 764 network appears to be deeply embedded everywhere in the United States.
They’re looking into suspects who have coerced teens to film themselves in actions ranging from sexually explicit acts to acts of violence against themselves or family pets. Then, those videos have been shared and used as blackmail to pressure victims into ever-escalating acts, all on video.
On May 7th, another release announced that an investigation by all FBI 55 field offices resulted in the arrest of 205 child sexual abuse offenders. Still, it’s not clear at this time how much, if any, overlap there is between this and the 764 investigation.
What Should Parents Watch For?
Parents should always keep an eye on their children’s social media presence.
Determining whether that means device checks, following their social media pages, and/or limiting or completely forbidding social media access will be a decision for each family, but this should always include ongoing conversations with your child about safety and appropriate interactions.
Watch for signs that your child is engaging in unusual activities, and for any changes in demeanor, like sudden or increased depression or anxiety.
Stop It Now has a long list of signs that a child is being sexually exploited online. They include, among others:
- Frequently shutting the door when using technology or hiding the screen when someone enters the room.
- Spend increasing amounts of time accessing digital media.
- They receive ‘gifts’ but will not share where they got them from or who gave them to them, such as jewelry, new electronic devices, clothing, or even digital currency.
- Engaging in self-harming behaviors or other risk-taking behaviors, such as the use of drugs or alcohol, can all act as coping tools for emotional pain.
- Unexplained sadness, fear, or anxiety, and low self-esteem.
- Regressive behaviors like bed wetting or sucking their thumb.
What Should A Parent Do If Their Child May Be A Victim?
If you think your child may be a victim of online exploitation, start by talking to them.
Make sure your child understands that whatever happened is not their fault; it’s the fault of the adult who coerced and pressured them. Make sure your child understands that there is nothing they could do that would cause you to stop loving and caring for them.
Discuss with them the way that these criminals escalate — complying with one demand only leads to more extreme demands, and the only way out is to cut the exploitation off before it goes further.
Then, take steps to report the incident. Preserve any records of communication. Law enforcement can typically still obtain copies of communication through a subpoena to the relevant platform even if accounts and messages are deleted, but that can be time-consuming, so it can be helpful if you can save, screenshot, or otherwise preserve messages.
Stop It Now has a helpline at 1(888)PREVENT (1.888.773.8368). The FBI has an Internet Crime Complaint Center for filing complaints.
If you or your child is the victim of a crime, you can start by calling your local police, who will help you escalate to the appropriate level.
How Can We Protect Our Kids?
Any person can be the victim of a crime, including exploitation, even people who believe they’re too aware to be tricked.
However, you can reduce the risk factors by giving your child age-appropriate information and supervision. Kids who feel safe talking to their adults about concerns and kids who have secure homes may have an extra layer of protection.
Stop It Now‘s list of risk factors includes unstable conditions, such as being in the foster system or being homeless. They also list past abuse, developmental or intellectual disabilities as risk factors for exploitation.
Some other factors may be more in parents’ control: kids who have no safe outlet to learn or ask questions about sexuality, identity (particularly LGBTQIA+ identities), and healthy sexual development can be targeted by adults who pretend to be a source of information. Talking openly and acceptingly to our kids about these matters is one way that we can provide protection.
That said, it must be reiterated that this can happen to any child, online or offline, and that predators can be strangers, family members, or adults who you’ve always trusted. Parents should be prepared to be a safe place for their child to report such incidents, regardless of the perpetrator.