Justice Dept. Alleges 2 Men Led 'One of the Most Disturbing' Child Exploitation Networks Authorities Have Ever Seen

• Leonidas Varagiannis and Prasan Nepal were arrested on allegations of “operating an international child exploitation enterprise known as ‘764,’ ” authorities announced 
• “These defendants are accused of orchestrating one of the most heinous online child exploitation enterprises we have ever encountered,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said
• According to media reports, the “764” has satanic and neo-Nazi ideologies, and has targeted children as young as 13 years old

The Department of Justice announced the arrest of two men who allegedly led “one of the most disturbing online child exploitation networks” federal authorities say they have ever encountered.

According to an announcement made by the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Wednesday, April 30, Leonidas Varagiannis (who is also allegedly known as “War”) and Prasan Nepal (who is also allegedly known as “Trippy”) were arrested by federal authorities on accusations of allegedly operating the group known as “764.”

The Attorney’s Office claims that two men “directed, participated in, and otherwise caused the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material” and also allegedly “facilitated the grooming, manipulation, and extortion of minors.”

Varagiannis, 21, was arrested in Thessaloniki, Greece, while Nepal, 20, was arrested in North Carolina. The two men face life in prison if convicted, according to the Justice Department.

It is not clear when the defendants are due to appear in federal court and whether they’ve entered a plea. PEOPLE has reached out to the Justice Department for more information.

“These defendants are accused of orchestrating one of the most heinous online child exploitation enterprises we have ever encountered — a network built on terror, abuse, and the deliberate targeting of children,” Attorney General Bondi said in a statement. “We will find those who exploit and abuse children, prosecute them, and dismantle every part of their operation.”

Per the Attorney’s Office, Varagiannis and Nepal allegedly “ordered their victims to commit acts of self-harm and engaged in psychological torment and extreme violence against minors.” The two men’s online group had “targeted vulnerable children online” as young as 13 years old, authorities claim.

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Additionally, the two suspects were allegedly “coercing” the children “into producing degrading and explicit content under threat and manipulation,” with the Attorney’s Office claiming “this content includes ‘cut signs’ and ‘blood signs’ through which young girls would cut symbols into their bodies.”

Several members of the “764” have been arrested in the last year, according to Sky News, WIRED and The Times, which also reported the group’s activity include the use of satanic and neo-Nazi ideologies.

The federal government alleges that the two men encouraged young members of their group to create so-called “lorebooks,” which the group used as digital currency within their own community. According to authorities, members “traded” the currency and used the content to “recruit new members or maintain status” within the group. It’s alleged that Varagiannis and Nepal “set content production expectations for new recruits” of the group.

“In multiple instances, [Varagiannis and Nepal] threatened and caused their victims to engage in self-mutilation, online and in-person sexual acts, harm to animals, sexual exploitation of siblings and others, acts of violence, threats of violence, suicide, and murder,” the Attorney’s Office said.

“The allegations in this case are not only disturbing, they are also every parent’s nightmare” U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. said in a statement. “The number of victims allegedly exploited by these defendants, and the depths of depravity are staggering. Justice demands that our response be swift in order to ensure public safety, hold the wrongdoers accountable, and bring the victims some sense of closure so they can heal.”

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.