Alberta youth charged with terrorism offences related to violent online group 764
RCMP have charged a 17-year-old in Lethbridge, Alta., with multiple offences related to terrorism, child sexual abuse and exploitation material, and animal cruelty. The accused’s online activity was consistent with the designated terrorist group 764, investigators say.
Group described as transnational network of online predators targeting vulnerable youths
Bradley van Paridon · CBC News
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RCMP have charged a 17-year-old in Lethbridge, Alta., with multiple offences and say the teen's online activity was consistent with the designated terrorist group 764.
The group is a transnational network of online predators targeting vulnerable youths with the goal of coercing victims to commit acts of self-harm as well as violence and abuse against others and animals, according to police.
The RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) says it received information from the Lethbridge police, which led to the arrest. The teen faces charges related to terrorism, child sexual abuse and exploitation material, and animal cruelty.
CBC’s the fifth estate previously reported on 764, describing how the group targets victims online through platforms like Telegram, Discord, Roblox, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitch and Steam.
WATCH | the fifth estate's full documentary on 764:
Trapped: The Online Terror Network
March 21, 2025|
Duration
44:19
'764' is a global network of online predators — many are teenagers. They coerce minors to self-harm, maim animals, kill themselves and have even plotted acts of mass violence. Police struggle to contain what’s being called a growing terror threat.Once targeted, victims are coerced into providing sexually explicit images of themselves and into committing acts of self-harm or violence against animals, often on livestreams. The predators exert further control by threatening to release the images to the victim's friends, family or school.
As the abuse escalates, some victims are forced into abusing others or attempting to take their own life, and at least one school shooting in the United States has been linked to 764, according to reporting by the fifth estate.
The RCMP provides a resource sheet for parents and guardians about these online groups, signs of online extortion or abuse, and where to find help.
The RCMP says that 764 is one of several groups engaging in similar activity, which are collectively referred to as the COM (short for community). In 2025, Canada became the first country to list 764 as a terrorist entity.
The Lethbridge teenager is set to appear in court Oct. 14.
The accused cannot be named in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bradley van Paridon is a Calgary based journalist covering science and local news. He can be reached at bradley.van.paridon@cbc.ca
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