Attorney General Raúl Labrador has issued a warning to families in Idaho about an online sextortion scheme operated by a transnational criminal network called "764." This group targets children, using gaming platforms and messaging apps like Discord, Telegram, and Roblox to manipulate and blackmail them into sharing explicit images or engaging in self-harming behavior. The victims, typically aged between 9 and 17, are then extorted through ongoing threats.
"The criminals behind this network are targeting children across the globe with calculated cruelty," said Attorney General Labrador. He emphasized the importance of awareness as a defense against this growing threat. "My office will use every tool at our disposal to expose these predators and protect Idaho families. Parents need to know this threat is real, it’s growing, and it thrives on silence."
The network's name, "764," is derived from a Texas zip code where early cases were identified in 2021. Currently, the FBI has over 250 investigations linked to this group. In April alone, the Idaho ICAC Task Force received 15 reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) concerning suspected sextortion activities within Idaho.
Authorities urge the public to report any suspected online exploitation to local law enforcement, the ICAC Unit at 208-947-8700, or NCMEC at 1-800-843-5678 or www.cybertipline.com. More information and resources can be found at ICACIdaho.org.