West Shore RCMP are currently investigating three reports involving a violent online group exploiting children and youth in the West Shore area. 

The reports are similar in nature and involve a violent online group known as the “764” which are a part of a larger online network known as “The COM”. “The COM” deliberately targets, victimizes and recruits vulnerable children ages 8-17.  “The COM” is a virtual community of groups and individuals who conduct illicit activities that glorify serious violence, cruelty, and gore. 

Groups within “The COM” network are known to have extreme ideological views and are victimizing children through desensitizing and radicalizing them to violence. These groups operate on popular social media platforms such as Discord, Telegram, Roblox, Minecraft, Twitch and other streaming platforms. Predators use grooming processes that can include establishing trusting or romantic relationships; or using power or coercive tactics to get victims to engage in serious violence, self harm, or gore activities.

These acts can include recording or photographing themselves, siblings or others in sexually explicit poses; committing sexual acts or sexually exploiting others; harming or killing animals, including family pets; harming others or self-harming; attempting or dying by suicide; committing other acts of violence.

There are several warning signs parents/guardians should watch out for in their children including: 

• 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, currency, gaming currency or other virtual items.
• They are demonstrating an interest or affinity to consumption of gore content, interest in disasters, self-harm, suicide, moral nihilism, occultism, and True Crime Community (TCC)-related content
• Writing in blood or what appears to be blood.
• 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.

Parents, guardians, and other adults should remain mindful these are indicators that a child or youth is being targeted. It is critical that parents and caregivers maintain open communication with their children about healthy online relationships, monitor their online activities, promote online safety, and familiarize themselves with all apps and technology their children and youth are using.

Police are committed to working with youth and families to prevent harm and address issues at the earliest stage. If you believe your child or youth is being targeted or exploited online, report the information to Cybertip.ca or your local police immediately. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1.