Online Criminal Friend Groups

A growing number of teen boys are recruited into organized online crime networks before parents have any idea. The groups offer status, money ($50–$500 per task), and belonging to socially isolated kids; tasks escalate from package theft and gift-card fraud to gun running and coerced self-harm content. The 'Com,' '764,' and similar networks are tracked by the FBI as a national-security concern.

Discord servers (often invite-only, rotating frequently), Telegram channels, Roblox-adjacent communities, and a constellation of crypto-payment-enabled forums. Recruitment usually starts in mainstream gaming chats.

The current generation of these networks coalesced around 2018–2020 and grew explosively during pandemic isolation. FBI public warnings began in 2023.

• Recruits start with low-stakes tasks (porch piracy, account access trades) and are slowly pulled into more serious activity. Quitting is discouraged with social pressure or threats.
• Crypto payments — Cash App, Apple Pay, Bitcoin — are how the money flows. Sudden new income that the teen can't explain is a red flag.
• The FBI runs a confidential intake for these networks. Parents can call without their teen knowing; the bureau prioritizes harm reduction over prosecuting the recruit.

• Federal criminal charges for tasks the teen didn't fully understand. Wire fraud, conspiracy, and CSAM-related charges have been brought against minors.
• The network knows the teen's identity, address, and family — quitting can bring threats or doxxing.
• The same networks frequently overlap with coercive harm groups, drug distribution, and gun trafficking.

• Open the conversation calmly: "I'm not asking what you did. I'm asking what they're asking you to do, and whether you want out." The offer of help is the leverage you have.
• Contact the FBI's tip line (1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov) — they treat parent calls about teen involvement as harm-reduction, not prosecution targets.
• Get the teen off the relevant platforms entirely, monitor for retaliation, and start counseling immediately.

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