764: The Worst Group That You Have Probably Never Heard Of

Author’s Note: This article includes potentially disturbing content including but not limited to pedophilia, animal abuse, self-harm, and suicide. Reader discretion is advised. 

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 Growing up online has exposed millions of teenagers to predators and extremist groups, creating a generation vulnerable to exploitation, coercion, and radicalization. As a female zoomer, I am no stranger to the sliminess that the internet entails. From creepy old men following my gymnastics training center’s social media accounts to random men from the Middle East DMing every girl in my high school friend group asking to buy our used clothing, growing up in the digital age makes me never want children. As we have grown more technologically dependent and youth culture has become intrinsically enmeshed with internet culture, the internet has become a hunting ground for the dregs of humanity to execute depraved acts, sometimes leading to the suicide of children. One such group of despots is called 764.

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Beginning its operations in 2021, 764 is a network of online groups that both “sextorts” minors and glorifies violence, including self-inflicted violence. This group all began when a lonely, bullied 15-year-old boy named Bradely Cadenhead made a Discord server called 764–an homage to his zip code. As the group grew, it began to require physical evidence of prospective members committing illegal acts. It also spread to other social media platforms including Kik, Roblox, Minecraft, Telegram, and Snapchat.One member even plotted an ISIS-style attack. Recruitment emphasizes the “quality and notoriety” of content, fostering a culture that constantly pushes legal and moral boundaries. This group is decentralized, with members worldwide. An estimated 10,000 are affiliated with 764.

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Perpetrators belonging to this group target vulnerable teenagers online. A 764 “manipulation” guide encourages members to groom individuals with mental health issues. Often, they feign romantic relationships. Preying upon these vulnerabilities, they get their child target to send sexually explicit material. This material then becomes leverage. 764 members will threaten to share the images if the victim does not do what they say. 

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Often, their demands center around self-harm, violence, and animal abuse. In one case, a girl was forced to stab herself on a live stream. Other examples include forcing victims to carve racial slurs into their skin or a teenage girl forced to feed her pet hamster to her dog.  Victims are stalked, threatened, doxxed, or otherwise intimidated if they do not comply. At least one teenager has live-streamed a suicide. The former FBI head of the Counterterrorism division stated: “We've looked at violent crimes against children for many years, but this just takes it to a whole different level.”

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Currently, the FBI and DOJ are making efforts to crack down on 764. Because so many group members glorify school shootings such as Columbine and Sandy Hook, the FBI is looking for ties between the organization and recent mass casualty events. Cadenhead was arrested in 2023. As per the Justice Department: “764 is a network of nihilistic violent extremists who engage in criminal conduct in the United States and abroad, seeking to destroy civilized society through the corruption and exploitation of vulnerable populations, which often include minors. The 764 network’s accelerationist goals include social unrest and the downfall of the current world order, including the United States Government.” The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children believes that at least 2,000 reports made within the first nine months of 2025 were linked to 764. The FBI is investigating at least 350 people for connections to the group. Some are being charged under the RICO statute. Both Republicans and Democrats are fighting for better online safeguarding practices. 

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764 is not just an online curiosity. It is a global network exploiting vulnerable youth, glorifying violence, and threatening social stability. The group’s actions are a stark reminder that the digital age has lowered barriers for radicalization, coercion, and depravity. While law enforcement pursues members and policymakers push for safeguards, it is up to communities, parents, teachers, coaches, and citizens to remain vigilant. Protecting children online is not optional, it is a civic duty.

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If you have any information on this group or fear that a minor that you know is being sextorted, please contact the National Center For Missing And Exploited Children and the FBI Tipline. 

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