The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is warning parents and guardians across the St. John’s metro area, including Mount Pearl, that a violent online group is actively targeting and exploiting local children. Police issued public advisories on June 12 and June 15, 2026, confirming an ongoing investigation into the group known as 764, which has been approaching youth through popular gaming platforms.
764 is designated as a terrorist entity under Canada’s Criminal Code since late 2025, and is part of a larger network called The Com. Members deliberately seek out kids aged 8 to 17 on platforms like Roblox, Minecraft, Discord, and Telegram. They use grooming, threats, and extortion to push victims toward self-harm, violence against animals, sexual exploitation, or even suicide.
According to the RNC’s public warning, parents should watch for several concerning signs. These include anonymous gifts showing up at the house, kids seeming scared of new online friends, a sudden interest in gore or self-harm content, and more unsupervised time online. Police urge anyone who notices these red flags to contact them right away.
The investigation has already seen real-world impacts in the region. The RNC confirmed responding to false firearms calls, known as swatting, on George Street in downtown St. John’s. Officers believe these fake emergency calls were made by the group to scare and control young victims, showing just how far this online threat reaches into daily life.
This local alert comes as police services across Canada face a sharp rise in similar cases. Nationally, the RCMP has warned that 764 and related groups are an escalating threat. In Winnipeg, police expect reports of online youth exploitation to more than double in 2026 compared to last year. One of the worst outcomes linked to 764 happened in Vancouver, where a 15-year-old girl died by suicide in February 2025 after being exploited online.
The RNC is working with national and international partners on the investigation. Anyone with concerns or information can reach out to the RNC directly or call Crime Stoppers. “We need parents and guardians to be aware and talk to their kids about who they are really talking to online,” police said, emphasizing that early intervention can save lives.
