The RCMP is urging the public to familiarize themselves with the signs that a person in their lives might be involved in a violent online group like 764.

In June, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary warned the public of violent online extremists targeting children and young people following a recent investigation.

The group targets children through online gaming platforms, building trust with their targeted victims, and then coaxing, or threatening them into dangerous or violent behaviours.

The RCMP say the biggest sign that a young people has been targeted is the injury or untimely death of a pet or animal.

The Mounties say that members of violent online groups are often children or young people themselves. They may have previously been victimized or exploited by an existing member and are then extorted or pressured into finding a victim of their own.

Among the predatory tactics used are threats to publicly post or share explicit or violent images or video, the malicious posting of a victim’s name or identifying information online, threats to family or friends, and threats to report the victim’s activities to police.

Social media or gaming platforms that could be used:

• Telegram
• Discord
• Roblox
• TikTok
• Instagram
• Snapchat
• Twitch
• Steam

Acts that young people may be asked to perform include recording or photographing themselves, siblings, or others:

• In sexually explicit poses
• Committing sexual acts
• Sexually exploiting others, including minors or siblings
• Harming or killing animals, including family pets
• Self-harming
• Attempting suicide
• Committing other acts of violence

Key indicators that a child you know could be the target of members of the COM network include:

• They use mobile apps like Telegram, Discord, or other encrypted communication platforms
• Family pets or other animals are being harmed, go missing, or die suspiciously
• A family pet is uncharacteristically avoidant or fearful
• They are demonstrating an interest in or affinity to extreme messaging or propaganda online
• They are demonstrating new interest in questioning or rejecting moral constraints, gore content, depictions of violence, terrorist propaganda, or occult imagery
• Writing in blood or what appears to be blood
• They have a new online “friend” or network they seem infatuated with and/or scared of
• They are receiving anonymous gifts (items delivered to your home, cryptocurrency, gaming currency, or other virtual items)
• The child or the family residence is receiving ongoing harassing phone calls or messages from unknown people online
• They are covering their skin in unusual ways or wearing clothing unsuitable for the weather
• They are going through more bandages, or showing evidence of cuts or carvings on their skin
• Excessive bandages are seen around the house or in garbage
• They are quieter than usual or uncharacteristically withdrawn
• They are excessively moody and on edge
• Their grades are dropping
• They are spending more time on the internet, unsupervised or alone in their room
• They are spending more money online or asking for money more often than usual
• They are scrawling names and/or numbers in notebooks, diaries, or on loose papers