Attorney General Alan Wilson issues warning to parents on the dangers and signs of children being victimized by violent online gore-seeking groups such as 764

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) - Attorney General Alan Wilson is warning parents of the increasing presence of an online gore trend, like the 764 movement, that is targeting teens. Those perpetuating these trends, who often are teens themselves, seek to generate online gore material through coercion and victimization of other teens, including but not limited to:  cutting, blood signs, child sexual abuse material, sextortion, bestiality, the torture or killing of animals, and documented suicide. These subjects also encourage their victims to become the subject and victimize others via online video games and chat rooms.

Leaders of these online trends also often encourage and execute attacks on others via swatting and bomb threats.

Some signs that your child may be at risk for participating in or becoming a victim of these gore groups are:

• Teens and pre-teens aged 11-17 who experience mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, or are part of the LGBT community.
• Spend an unusual amount of time online in a private space such as a bedroom (these activities usually take place on a desktop, laptop, or gaming computer).
• Refer to “friends” by screen names only.
• Have any signs of cutting themselves (this can be done anywhere on the body). The cuts are used to make a “blood-sign,” which is the writing of a message in blood, usually written in the bathroom/shower, then photographed.
• The harming of pets and animals (most specifically cats).
• Receive gifts, money, food deliveries, etc. from online or unknown relationships.

Many victims do not realize that they are victims. If they refuse to provide content, subjects will often be threatened when they refuse to meet requests and/or recruit new victims.

If you think your child may be a victim of these crimes, you should immediately report it to local law enforcement or the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

More information on 764 and their activities can be found here: Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) | Violent Online Networks Target Vulnerable and Underage Populations Across the United States and Around the Globe