Sadistic network: mastermind from Eindhoven in court!

Sadistic network: mastermind from Eindhoven in court!

In the city of Rotterdam, a 25-year-old man from Eindhoven is being tried, who is considered to be the mastermind of a global network of sadistic chat groups. The proceedings, which begin on Tuesday, initially focus on procedural questions, while the start of the main proceedings is still unclear. The man, who appeared on the Internet under the name “Cxrpse”, is suspected of blackmailing young people in online chat groups and inciting them to commit extreme acts of violence. In particular, he is accused of sexual abuse of siblings and incitement to self-harm and, in some cases, even murder and suicide, as Antenne Münster reports.

Dutch investigators have already identified dozens of suspected victims and have also taken a 22-year-old suspect from Hoofddorp into custody. This case is part of a much larger problem: the 764 network, to which the defendant belongs, is suspected of manipulating many minors and, in individual cases, even driving them to suicide. Investigations are ongoing in several federal states in Germany, including North Rhine-Westphalia and Hamburg, where similar incidents have been reported.

Dangers on the Internet

The perpetrators specifically target mentally unstable young people, luring them into closed chat groups on platforms such as Discord and Telegram. Children and young people, who often have social problems or a lack of support in their environment, are particularly vulnerable to such attacks. The masterminds are highly organized: They create emotional bonds before moving on to manipulation and abuse.

The BSI confirms that advice on the safe use of digital media is more important than ever today. With 96 percent of 12 to 19 year olds having their own smartphone, the focus should be on using digital technologies safely. This allows parents and legal guardians to protect their children and raise awareness at an early stage.

Reactions and outlook

The media has already reported extensively on the incidents, while experts such as cybercriminologist Thomas-Gabriel Rüdiger emphasize that a stronger presence of security authorities in the digital space is necessary. In Germany, the State Criminal Police Office of North Rhine-Westphalia is taking a proactive approach by working with the US child protection organization NCMEC on training measures to better protect children and young people.

With the rapid development of digital media and the equally rapid rise in cybercrime rates, parents and guardians need to be on their guard. A variety of online dangers, from cyberbullying to manipulative networks, require attention. This makes it all the more important to take protective measures and provide information about the risks on the Internet, according to the BSI's recommendations.

The developments surrounding the 764 network and the ongoing investigations in Germany show that there is a need for action here. The fate of the young people who are caught up in these schemes must be of concern to all of us. Only through education and prevention can we stop these dangerous structures.

The case developments will continue to be monitored closely. Society is asked to take action and put the issue of child protection on the Internet on the agenda. Because in a world in which digital communication is becoming more and more present, we must work together to prevent the vulnerable from becoming victims of manipulation and violence.