JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 The FBI is issuing a disturbing warning to parents nationwide as a growing number of violent online networks target children \u2014 including one known as \u201c764.\u201d<\/p>\n
These predator groups are operating across social media, gaming platforms, and mobile apps \u2014 and their victims are getting younger.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are seeing an increase in these predators online,\u201d said Supervisory Special Agent Matthew Riser in a sit-down interview with Action News Jax. \u201cThey\u2019re using social media platforms, gaming platforms \u2014 really any kind of platform online where someone can communicate with someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the FBI, networks like \u201c764\u201d actively recruit and exploit vulnerable children, typically between the ages of 10 and 17. Some victims have been as young as 9.<\/p>\n
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Nationwide, the FBI is tracking around 280 active cases involving these types of online predator groups \u2014 with several investigations underway right here in Jacksonville.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are certainly investigations that we\u2019re looking at in the Jacksonville area as well\u2026 generally speaking there\u2019s about 280 out right now that we are seeing around the country,\u201d Riser confirmed.<\/p>\n The tactics used by these groups are alarming: manipulation, deception, and blackmail. Predators often pose as friends or romantic partners, slowly grooming their victims and isolating them from loved ones.<\/p>\n \u201cThat person is looking for answers online, and they start to groom them,\u201d Riser said.<\/p>\n Tragically, some children have been coerced into acts of self-harm, exploitation \u2014 and in extreme cases, suicide or murder.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately, [victims can] be blackmailed into suicide and murder,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n To combat the threat, the FBI is ramping up its response.<\/p>\n