Cried and called dad: How the internet sect 764 was born

A Swedish court is hearing the case of an 18-year-old in Umeå accused of more than 70 crimes, all allegedly committed in the name of the online sadist network known as "764." This network has been linked to recent violent incidents in Sweden, including knife attacks in a Stockholm suburb and arson in Ängelholm. The group's influence appears to be growing, primarily targeting boys and young men.

The origins of the network trace back to Bradley Cadenhead, who as a child was exposed to extreme violence online. Initially frightened, he later became fascinated and sought out dark online spaces. By age 13, he threatened a school shooting in his hometown of Stephenville, Texas, leading to a period in juvenile detention. Upon release, he encountered an individual known as "Trippy," who introduced him to servers filled with extreme violent content.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cadenhead spent all his waking hours online, particularly on Discord. There, he and "Trippy" discussed plans, culminating in Cadenhead creating his own Discord server in the winter of 2021, named "764" after his hometown's zip code. The network has since expanded globally, using flattery and threats to manipulate members into harming themselves and others.

In Sweden, the "764" network has been implicated in grooming, sexual exploitation, extortion of children, unprovoked knife attacks, and at least one murder. The 18-year-old in Umeå, who goes by the alias "Chai," is described as a leading figure within the movement. Journalist Gustaf Tronarp, author of "Barnen i mörkret: Jakten på 764" (The Children in the Dark: The Hunt for 764), explains that while the structure is disorganized, there is a hierarchy with a core group called "764 Inferno." According to the FBI, "Chai" is considered part of this top echelon. Tronarp notes that "764" is part of a larger online environment known as "The com," which comprises criminal groups.