RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesI Team Congressional committee asks FBI to reveal plans for catching online child predators in 764 network By Mark Rivera and Barb Markoff, Christine Tressel and Tom Jones Saturday, February 21, 2026 A Congressional committee has asked the FBI to reveal plans for catching online child predators in the violent 764 network. CHICAGO (WLS) -- The ABC7 I-Team is uncovering new information about an online group that targets and exploits children, with new calls from Congress to investigate and apprehend members.
In a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, House Oversight and Government Reform committee chairman James Comer wrote, "disturbing tactics attributed to this network" warrant "rigorous oversight and an evaluation of whether existing federal countermeasures are effective and adequately resourced to combat these elusive online perpetrators."
The letter sent this week cited ABC News reporting on 764, the depraved online network exploiting children.
As of November, the FBI was investigating more than 350 people across the United States with suspected ties to 764 or similar networks. Their members gain status by manipulating children to perform self harm, violence and more, usually starting on popular social media sites or online games. Experts tell ABC News the number of investigations has likely increased since then.
Leslie Taylor told ABC News Anchor JuJu Chang her 13-year-old son, Jay, died by suicide after authorities say a 764 member in Germany pushed him to take his own life.
This week, Leslie and her husband, Colby Taylor, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the social media giant Discord, alleging it "caused" her son's suicide and "abetted one of the most depraved and dangerous child abuse cults in modern history."
"The fact that the perpetrators are having access directly to our kids' mind versus their physical well-being is extremely scary," said Colby Taylor, Jay's dad.
A medical student in Germany is on trial there for Jay's murder, and more than 200 counts of sexual abuse and violence of more than 30 victims. Authorities say he is nicknamed White Tiger. He has denied all charges.
In September, FBI Director Kash Patel told Congress taking on 764 was an agency priority.
Congress is now asking what more needs to be done.
At least 28 people have been charged by the Justice Department in recent years with suspected ties to 764 or affiliated networks. Many have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.
Additional resources: To report an incident to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children CyberTipline: https://report.cybertip.org/
For more resources on child sexual exploitation, including how to talk to your child about this topic: https://report.cybertip.org/other-resources
To report an incident of child exploitation to the FBI: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/cenp
If you are experiencing suicidal, substance use or other mental health crises please call or text the new three digit code at 988. You will reach a trained crisis counselor for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also go to 988lifeline.org or dial the current toll free number 800-273-8255 [ TALK ] .
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