FBI: Extremist Network Targets 1,700 Cases, Preying on Teens in Video Games
Agents say predators use encrypted chats to drive children toward suicide or mass violence, with one recent attack livestreamed from a San Diego mosque.
By Meera Fletcher ·
Federal investigators say a network of online extremists is targeting children as young as 11 through video games and social media platforms. The FBI categorizes this threat as Nihilistic Violent Extremism, or NVE, a form of domestic terrorism that has grown since its first documentation in 2021.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the agency is currently handling 1,700 domestic terrorism investigations, a large portion of which involve NVE actors. These groups, which include the 764 Network and the group known as No Lives Matter, are driven by a desire to destroy societal values and sow chaos. The FBI is currently linking the NVE threat to the deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego. On May 18, two teenagers opened fire on the mosque, killing three people and livestreaming the event before taking their own lives. Agents determined the gunmen were radicalized online by nihilistic violent extremism.
Amy Ramsey, a supervisory Special Agent with the FBI in Kansas City, described the recruitment process. Predators initially build rapport with vulnerable youth who lack strong family or social support. Ramsey noted that while both boys and girls are targeted, female victims are more common. Once trust is established, the attackers move the conversation to encrypted platforms that are difficult for law enforcement to track.
Ramsey explained that NVE differs from traditional online predation because the goal is not sexual gratification or financial gain. Instead, the end goal is for the victim to commit suicide or an act of mass violence. She identified early warning signs, which she called blood signs, such as writing names in blood on notebooks or walls, or showing sudden violence toward pets or siblings.
The FBI advises parents to monitor their children's online activity and maintain open, calm communication. Ramsey urged families to look at the actual content on devices rather than just restricting access and forgetting about it. She emphasized that parents should limit communication with strangers, especially for younger children. If parents suspect NVE activity, agents recommend staying calm, preserving all digital evidence, and ceasing contact with the predator. Parents can report tips to the FBI at FBI.gov, by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI, or through local police.
Samantha Hausker, Director of Education at the Boys and Girls Club, said the organization is teaching children to recognize red flags in online interactions. She noted that radicalization can begin with a single comment or interaction. The FBI maintains that education remains the primary method of deterrence against this growing domestic threat.
