West Shore RCMP warn parents about violent online group targeting youth

West Shore RCMP are investigating three reports involving a violent online group exploiting children and youth. 

The three separate reports are similar in nature and involve an online group known as the “764,” which is allegedly part of a larger online network known as “The COM.”

Police say The COM deliberately targets, victimizes and recruits vulnerable children between the ages of eight and 17.  

This online community allegedly conducts illicit activities that glorify serious violence, cruelty and gore. 

The COM and associated groups reportedly have extreme ideological views and victimize children through desensitizing and radicalizing them to violence. 

Police say they often operate on popular social media platforms and gaming communities such as Discord, Telegram, Roblox, Minecraft, Twitch and more. 

Predators on these platforms use tactics that establish trust and sometimes romantic relationships. Once trust is established, coercive tactics are used to get victims to engage in serious violence, self harm or gore activities, according to West Shore RCMP.

These acts can include recording or photographing themselves, siblings or others in sexually explicit poses, committing sexual acts, harming or killing animals, harming others or self-harming, attempting or dying by suicide and/or committing other acts of violence.

Police warn parents and guardians to watch out for warning signs that their children are being targeted by The COM or an associated group. 

Some warning signs include: 

• Having a new online “friend” or network they seem infatuated with and/or scared of
• Receiving anonymous gifts, items delivered to your home, currency, gaming currency or other virtual items
• Demonstrating an interest or affinity to consumption of gore content, interest in disasters, self-harm, suicide, moral nihilism, occultism and true crime-related content
• Writing in blood or what appears to be blood
• Spending more time on the internet, unsupervised or alone in their room
• Spending more money online or asking for money more often than usual

“Parents, guardians, and other adults should remain mindful these are indicators that a child or youth is being targeted,” said West Shore RCMP in a media release. 

“It is critical that parents and caregivers maintain open communication with their children about healthy online relationships, monitor their online activities, promote online safety and familiarize themselves with all apps and technology their children and youth are using.”

Anyone who believes their child is being targeted or exploited online should report the information to Cybertip.ca or local police.

For more information on predatory tactics and warning signs, refer to the RCMP article on Violent online groups exploiting children and youth.