Two men have been arrested and charged with allegedly being involved in running one of the most disturbing online child exploitation operations ever uncovered, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Leonidas Varagiannis, 21, and Prasan Nepal, 20, are accused of leading “764 Inferno,” a subgroup of a criminal online network named “764.” This network targeted vulnerable individuals, particularly children, using violent methods intended to incite self-harm, as stated in the criminal complaint.
“764” is described as a network of violent extremists involved in criminal activity both in the United States and internationally. Their goal is to disrupt society by corrupting and exploiting vulnerable populations, including minors.
The group is said to pursue a destructive agenda aimed at social unrest and the downfall of the existing world order, including the United States government.
Varagiannis, known online as “War,” is a U.S. citizen living in Greece. He was arrested on April 28 in Thessaloniki, Greece. Nepal, known as “Trippy,” was taken into custody on April 22 in North Carolina.
Both men are accused of conspiring with at least six other members or potential recruits of “764 Inferno” to carry out heinous crimes. If convicted, they face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Federal authorities have labeled “764” as a violent extremist group that operates globally. This group is part of a wider network of cybercriminals known as “the Com,” which engages in violent and cybercriminal activities.
According to reports from Reuters and CyberScoop, this network has been increasing its activity, with the FBI issuing a public warning in March about the rise in such crimes.
The FBI has stressed that these online networks specifically target and exploit minors and other vulnerable people.
These groups operate on public online platforms such as social media sites, gaming platforms, and mobile apps commonly used by young people.
The networks manipulate and coerce victims into sharing explicit content, including self-harm, animal abuse, sexually explicit acts, or even suicide. Such content is shared among network members, who use it to control and extort victims.
The complaint indicates that “764 Inferno” members used encrypted messaging applications to make and distribute child sexual abuse material.
The group’s activities reportedly took place from late 2020 to early 2025, with Varagiannis and Nepal holding key leadership roles.
The material they produced, along with other violent content, was used to create digital “Lorebooks” that functioned as currency within the network. These “Lorebooks” were traded, stored in encrypted vaults, and used to recruit new members or maintain status within the group.
The criminal complaint also reveals how Varagiannis and Nepal provided detailed instructions to other members on how to groom and extort victims. They set expectations for the type of content that should be produced, based on its quality and notoriety.
The two men allegedly exploited at least eight victims, all under the age of 18, with some as young as 13. The victims were coerced into engaging in acts of self-harm, online and in-person sexual activities, harm to animals, and even sexual exploitation of siblings. They were also subjected to threats of violence and suicide.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that the two men facilitated the grooming, manipulation, and extortion of minors.
They allegedly forced victims to engage in horrific acts, including self-mutilation and psychological torment. Some victims were coerced into cutting symbols into their bodies, a practice referred to as “cut signs” and “blood signs.”
Allison Nixon, the chief research officer for cybersecurity firm Unit 221B, commented that the arrests of Varagiannis and Nepal are a significant development in fighting these crimes.
Nixon explained that crime waves related to “the Com” are driven by a small group of highly active perpetrators, and the arrests of key individuals like these can make a substantial impact.
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