Alleged leaders of child exploitation cult known as 764 arrested, charged
CBC
Warning: This story contains references to suicide, sexual abuse, violence, graphic material and language that may be upsetting to some readers.
Two men have been arrested and charged with running an international child exploitation enterprise known as 764 which targets vulnerable minors online and coerces them to self-harm, make child sexual abuse material of themselves and participate in violent acts — including animal abuse and even suicide.
Prasan Nepal, 20, who police say used the moniker "Trippy" in the 764 network, was arrested in North Carolina. Leonidas Varagiannis, a 21-year-old U.S. citizen, known as "War" was arrested in Greece, according to police.
They allegedly led a core subgroup called 764 Inferno that operated using encrypted messaging platforms. Police say the men exploited at least eight minors, some as young as 13 years old.
"The information in the criminal complaint is sickening," said an online investigator named Becca who tracks 764 and shares what she learns with law enforcement. For her safety, we are only using her first name.
CBC's The Fifth Estate first investigated 764 and its related groups last year, and has since discovered victims around the world, including one in Red Deer, Alta., named Trinity.
Trinity, whose identity CBC has agreed to protect for her safety, first reported her allegations of exploitation by 764 members to RCMP in July 2021 but did not hear from them again until last year after the FBI asked to meet with her.
During the meeting with both law enforcement teams in May 2024, she provided officers with a list of names of 764 perpetrators who she says exploited her through Discord and Telegram.
One of the names on that list was Trippy.
Neither she nor her mother wanted to comment on the arrests saying they are trying to move past their ordeal.
The Fifth Estate also interviewed a Canadian father whose 15-year-old daughter recently killed herself after being exploited by other members of 764 for at least two years.
The CBC is not naming him to protect his daughter's identity and for his own safety. The father says he continues to be harassed by people he suspects are part of the network.
News of the arrests "gives me hope," he said, adding that awareness, especially for parents and authorities, is critical. He says he missed the early signs of his daughter's exploitation, including self-harm.
"That's the part that I hate," he said, "It was happening right in front of me and I didn't recognize it."
