Expo began following networks like 764 and the closely related “No Lives Matter” (NLM) after the knife attacks in Hässelby in the summer of 2024. They had been following the phenomenon internationally before, but then started looking at the networks’ presence in Sweden. Since then, they have seen how the violent acts have gone from taking place online to making their way into society.
"In broad terms, they began committing crimes over the internet, primarily to blackmail and torment people. Then we saw how they began to go out into the streets and stab people according to their ideological logic. In recent years, we have seen that they are beginning to direct terrorist plans against society," says Morgan Finnsiö.
Escalating pattern
On Thursday, the verdict, juvenile care, came against a 15-year-old with connections to the networks that Expo is investigating. He was charged with arson, among other things, after burning down two garages and damaging more than 30 vehicles. It is one of several cases where the 764 network has been relevant in recent years.
Even though this particular case did not target a person, but property, it is in line with the escalating pattern, where their violence and destruction against society is taking on more and more extensive expression, says Morgan Finnsiö.
“They cheer for each other”
The fires occurred in Ängelholm on several occasions. The boy live-streamed the arson attack that took place in November last year, where several people followed the destruction and urged him to throw in more matches. Morgan Finnsiö has seen that people within and between different groups in this environment are inspired by each other.
They want to break down society and, above all, compete with each other. They cheer for each other, says Morgan Finnsiö.
Expo has seen that during the same period as the fires raged in Ängelholm in 2025, tributes were published from other violence-prone networks to the group to which the 15-year-old boy was connected.
"They say they are brothers in arms. However, we have not found anything that indicates a direct connection between the group that praised the boy and the fires, but there was an alliance between these two groups," says Morgan Finnsiö.
Facts: Advocates violence and extreme nihilism
The self-proclaimed internet cult 764 was founded by then-teenager Bradley Cadenhead in 2021 and is named after his mailing address in his hometown of Stephenville, Texas.
The founder is currently serving an 80-year prison sentence for child pornography crimes.
Young boys and men in several countries have, in the name of the movement, among other things, groomed, exploited and blackmailed children sexually, carried out several unprovoked knife attacks and at least one murder. At least 50 chat groups are or have been active on the Discord and Telegram platforms, but members have hunted victims on everything from Minecraft and Roblox to forums for people with eating disorders and self-harm.
In countries including the United States, Great Britain, Sweden and Germany, designated 764 members have been sentenced to prison for murder, terrorist crimes and sexual abuse of children.
No Lives Matter (NLM) is an ideological and violence-prone subculture that has been linked to several knife attacks around the world, including in Sweden.
The group advocates extreme nihilism and urges its followers to commit violent crimes to create chaos and destabilize society. Members glorify violence and use social media to spread manifestos and plan attacks, according to Expo.
