West Shore RCMP is investigating three reports involving a violent online group exploiting children and youth in the area.
The reports are similar and involve a violent online group known as the “764” which are a part of a larger online network known as “The COM”.
RCMP says the COM targets, victimizes, and recruits children ages eight to 17.
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It is a virtual community of groups and individuals who conduct illegal activities that glorify serious violence, cruelty, and gore, according to Mounties.
Officers say groups within The COM network are known to have extreme ideological views and are victimizing children through desensitizing and radicalizing them to violence.
A press release from the RCMP says these groups operate on popular social media platforms such as Discord, Telegram, Roblox, Minecraft, Twitch, and other streaming platforms.
Predators use grooming processes that can include starting trusting or romantic relationships, using power or coercive tactics to get victims to engage in serious violence, self harm or gore activities, the release added.
Investigators say these acts can include recording or photographing themselves, siblings or others in sexually explicit poses, committing sexual acts or sexually exploiting others, harming or killing animals, harming others or self-harming, attempting or dying by suicide, committing other acts of violence.
The RCMP adds that there are several warning signs parents or guardians should watch out for in their children.
If they have a new online friend or network that they seem infatuated with or scared of, or if they are receiving anonymous gifts, items delivered to their homes, currency, gaming currency or other virtual items.
Police say parents and guardians should see if their kids are:
For more information on predatory tactics, warning signs, and reporting RCMP National article Violent online groups exploiting children and youth.
