Federal authorities say a network of online extremists seeks to destroy society. Parents should know that their children are at risk of being drawn into a violent and disturbing conspiracy.
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Federal authorities are urging parents to closely monitor their children’s online activities for signs of “nihilistic violent extremist” groups that are said to target minors by coercing them into violence and other harmful acts.
The group, known as NVE, “engages in criminal activity in the United States and abroad to further political, social, and religious goals derived primarily from hatred and a desire to sow indiscriminate chaos, destruction, and civil unrest and bring about disintegration of society at large,” the Justice Department said in a July 8 news release announcing the group’s leaders’ prison sentences.
According to the FBI, the group includes a network called 764, which coerces vulnerable victims, including children, into performing acts on video or livestream. Examples include self-harm, animal abuse, sexually explicit acts, and suicide.
The FBI in Boston warned earlier this year that the activity of such groups was “exponentially increasing,” and now the Justice Department is repeating the warning.
“These organizations target children as part of a broader mission to spread terrorism. Ultimately, these organizations seek nothing less than the destruction of our society,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg.
Here’s what parents need to know:
What is a nihilistic violent extremist group?
USA TODAY previously reported that “nihilistic violent extremists” refers to a subculture of online actors obsessed with mass shootings and other acts of violence. According to the FBI, these groups “desire to sow chaos and promote the destruction of society.”
They use tactics the FBI calls “sadistic online exploitation.” They may also use threats, intimidation, and other tactics to force victims to film themselves performing harmful acts. The FBI said the group then used the videos to further blackmail victims.
They may also use “swatting” (falsifying serious, often violent crimes to authorities to provoke a law enforcement response to a victim’s home) and doxxing (sharing sensitive personal information such as addresses or financial information) to extort victims, the FBI in Boston said.
“There is nothing more abhorrent than those who prey on children and other vulnerable members of society, and this defendant will pay a steep price for his actions,” said Colt Markowski, Acting Assistant Director of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “The FBI has made identifying and arresting nihilistic violent extremists who coerce young boys into horrific acts of self-harm a top priority.”
The FBI says perpetrators are often men under the age of 25 and come from all walks of life.
A desire for notoriety within the NVE group appears to have been a driving force in the May 18 mass shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, where two teenagers killed three people and then killed themselves, USA TODAY previously reported.
Group leader sentenced to 40 years in prison
The Department of Justice announced on July 8 that Alexis Aldea Chavez, a member of the San Antonio-based NVE Group associated with the 764 Network, pleaded guilty to racketeering, distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography and was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
According to the Department of Justice, Chavez was involved in multiple instances of coercing or attempting to coerce minors into harming themselves or harming themselves. Prosecutors said the suspect, known online as “Zack” and “Zack 8884,” was the administrator of the 8884 network.
“Members of 8884 collaborate with each other toward a common goal of destroying civilized society through corruption and exploitation of vulnerable populations, including minors,” the Justice Department said.
In October 2023, Chavez and a co-conspirator attempted to have an underage girl commit suicide by overdosing on pills via video chat, according to the Justice Department. He then worked with that victim to force another girl from another country to undress, cut herself and perform sex acts on camera. They forced another female victim to imprint the word “Zack” on her mind, according to the Department of Justice. In December 2023, Chavez and another person forced an underage girl to cut her tongue and forced her to torture and kill a cat on video, according to the Justice Department. Another victim was forced to light his arm on fire, the Justice Department said.
He was arrested in October 2024, authorities said.
Federal government warns parents to monitor online activity
The FBI said parents and others involved in the lives of vulnerable people should monitor online activity and discuss the risks of sharing personal information. You should also be careful when posting photos or identifying information about children or other vulnerable people online.
“Parents need to know what their children are doing online, stay interested, ask tough questions, and avoid falling into the trap of assuming their children are ‘just playing a game’ or ‘talking to a friend,'” Justin R. Simmons, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, said in a statement.
Here’s what parents should know about NVE groups, according to the FBI and Department of Justice.
- These groups use publicly available platforms such as social media sites, gaming platforms, and phone apps.
- Most often, underage girls are targeted, but anyone can be targeted, including boys and adults.
- Most of the victims are in the age group of 10 to 17 years, but victims as young as 9 years old have also been targeted.
- In addition to children, people with mental health issues such as depression, eating disorders, and suicidal thoughts are being targeted.
- “Threat actors” groom their victims by establishing a relationship before coercing them.
These are warning signs that parents, other family members and friends should be aware of, officials say.
- Changes in behavior such as withdrawal, isolation, and irritability
- Changes in appearance, such as sudden disregard for appearance
- Changes in eating and sleeping habits
- They seem obsessed or afraid when they have new online “friends”
- Receive anonymous gifts, such as items delivered to your home or game currency
- Patterned scars or cuts, scratches, bruises, bite marks, burns, or other new wounds
- Skin carvings that include letters and patterns
- Wear long sleeves and long pants when it’s hot
- To write blood or anything that appears to be blood.
- Talking about suicide or death or not wanting to be around
- Idealization of mass shootings and similar events
- A pet or other animal has been injured or killed in a suspicious situation, or a family pet is frightened.
- Being “knocked down” or having your personal information taken, resulting in law enforcement being called to your home by an unknown person.
If you or someone you know is a victim of online NVE activity, you can report the activity to 800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or tips.fbi.gov and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov).
Contributed by: Will Carless
