Erin Bates

Award-winning South African journalist. @carteblanchetv anchor and presenter. Retweets ≠ endorsements. Views ≠ those of my employers.

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Navigating online safety for children requires understanding both the platforms young people use and the tactics employed by modern digital predators.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝟳𝟲𝟰 𝗡𝗘𝗧𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞 & 𝗠𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗡 𝗩𝗜𝗢𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗦 ☢️
The 764 network (and associated groups known collectively as “The Com”, "comm-based" or "nihilistic violent extremist" networks) represents a dangerous shift in online child exploitation. Unlike traditional predators who seek sexual material for gratification alone, 764 network members operate out of pure sadism, clout, and extortion.

𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱𝘀 & 𝗧𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 📓
- Public Scouting: Members cast a wide net on mainstream gaming hubs (like Roblox, Fortnite and Minecraft) and social platforms (TikTok, Instagram, X, Facebook, etc.). They scout public profiles for children showing signs of isolation, depression, or family distress.
- Platform Shifting: Once initial contact is made, they immediately move the conversation to encrypted or unmonitored apps like Discord, Telegram, Zangi, WhatsApp or Snapchat.
- Sextortion & Trapping: They trick children into sending an initial explicit photo or revealing personal information (such as their home address, school, or parents' details).
- Escalating Demands: Once they possess an image or private detail, the shift is rapid and aggressive. Predators threaten to send the imagery to the child’s family, friends, or classmates unless the child produces more content, performs acts of self-harm, or harms pets.
- Gamification of Abuse: Network members share video evidence of their extortion with one another to earn status or rank within their private group chats.

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬 𝗨𝗦𝗘𝗗 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗦 𝗕𝗬 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗦 🖥️📱
Predators rarely stay on one platform; they leverage specific apps for distinct phases of grooming.

𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝘂𝗯𝘀: Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite – Used for initial outreach. Predators build rapport through shared gameplay, virtual gifts (in-game currency), or private servers.
𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 / 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼-𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲: Snapchat, Telegram - Used for content extraction. "Disappearing messages" create a false sense of security for children, while predators use second devices or screen recording tools to save the media.
𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 / 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀: Discord - Used for long-term control. Private, unindexed servers allow predators to organize, coordinate coercion, and host live-streamed extortion sessions.
𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁-𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 / 𝗗𝗠𝘀: TikTok, Instagram - Used for scouting. Predators search public posts, comment sections, and hashtags to find vulnerable minors or direct message them.
𝗔𝗻𝗼𝗻𝘆𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴: NGL, Tellonym, Zangi - Used for initial contact. Linked via Instagram or TikTok bios, these allow predators to send suggestive or manipulative messages completely anonymously.

𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗩𝗔𝗨𝗟𝗧 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗦 🗂️
Vault apps (often called "calculator apps" or "secret folders") are applications specifically designed to hide photos, videos, browsing histories and text messages behind a disguised icon on a smartphone.

- 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗴𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀: On a home screen, the app looks like a standard working calculator, utility tool or compass. Opening the app reveals a fully functioning calculator. However, entering a secret PIN or pattern unlocks a hidden file system.
- 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀: Calculator#, Calculator Vault, Secret Photo Vault, Keepsafe, and Gallery Lock.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗩𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝘀:
- 𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵: Search the installed apps on the device within the official App Store or Google Play Store. The app listing will detail its primary function as a "photo vault" or "privacy container."
- 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁: Check the device settings under Storage. A genuine basic calculator app uses minimal storage (usually a few megabytes). A vault app disguising itself as a calculator will often consume several gigabytes due to stored media like photos and videos.
- 𝗗𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗜𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀: Devices rarely need two separate calculator or compass apps. A secondary utility icon is a key indicator.

𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗦 & 𝗜𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣𝗦 ‼️
If a child is being groomed, extorted, or contacted by a predator, follow these immediate steps:

𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹
- 𝗗𝗼 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝘆: Predators rarely stop after receiving money or additional photos; compliance usually leads to higher demands.
- 𝗗𝗼 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀: Preserve all evidence. Take screenshots showing usernames, phone numbers, email addresses, chat history, and platform URLs (website addressed) before blocking the user.
- 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱: Ensure the child knows they are the victim, they are not in trouble, and that you are working together to resolve the situation.

𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹𝘀
𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 (𝗦𝗔𝗣𝗦):
Report directly at your local police station or contact the SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.
- Call Crime Stop: 08600 10111.

𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 (𝗡𝗖𝗠𝗘𝗖):
Submit a report via the global CyberTipline at https://t.co/ggmP9xxVjD. NCMEC routes reports directly to relevant global law enforcement agencies (including SAPS/Interpol).

𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗜𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻 (𝗡𝗖𝗠𝗘𝗖 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹):
If explicit images of a minor have been created or shared online, visit https://t.co/CldArrJlVW. It generates unique digital fingerprints (hashes) of the images directly from your device, allowing platforms to automatically remove or block them without anyone viewing the media.

𝗜𝗻-𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴:
Report the profile directly through the specific platform's internal reporting system (e.g., Discord's Trust & Safety team, Snapchat's Safety Center, or Meta's Safety Center) after taking evidentiary screenshots.

Sources: SAPS / SECI / FBI

#CarteBlanche #southafrica #news #online #grooming #safety #crime

https://t.co/ggmP9xxVjD

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Discord, TikTok, Instagram, Zangi, Telegram, Snapchat - common apps used by predators to chat to children. #CarteBlanche @ermbates

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Fake or illicit alcohol is a serious health hazard in South Africa. Counterfeiters often refill genuine bottles with cheap, toxic substitutes like industrial methanol or nail polish remover, which can cause blindness, organ failure, or severe poisoning. More industrious counterfeiters recreate the brand labels on-site.

Spotting a fake bottle before buying it – and knowing who to notify – is crucial for staying safe.

𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗙𝗬𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗔𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗛𝗢𝗟

𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗘 📍
- Unlicensed Vendors: Avoid buying from informal street vendors, social media resellers, or unregistered establishments.

𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗘 💸
- Too Good to Be True: Premium spirits (like top-shelf gin, whiskey, or cognac) do not sell for 50% or 70% off. If a bottle's price is lower than the standard government excise tax alone, it is almost certainly counterfeit or illicit.

𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗔𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗚 🍾
- The Seal and Cap: Authentic bottles use precise, machine-applied caps. Look for loose seals, misaligned plastic wrapping, glue marks, or caps that do not crack open cleanly when turned. Criminals often reuse original bottles and seal them with heat guns. Others use glue to reseal caps while still giving it that cracking sound of a new bottle.
- Print Quality: Look for blurry text, cheap paper, crooked alignment, air bubbles, or spelling errors. Legitimate brands print crisp, high-quality labels, often with embossed detail or metallic foils.
- Barcodes and Details: South African products generally start with the barcode prefix 600. You can scan product barcodes using the free MyCGCSA app (Consumer Goods Council of SA) to verify if the barcode matches the actual brand and liquid. Missing manufacturer details or batch numbers are major warning signs. If you're unable to access the MyCGCSA app, you can also use your phone's built-in AI agent to analyse the barcode for you.

𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧 🥃
- Visual Inspection: Clear spirits (vodka, gin, white rum) should be crystal clear. If you see floating specks, cloudiness, sediment, or an oily residue film, do not drink it.
- Uneven Fill Levels: If you are buying multiple bottles of the same brand, check the fluid height. Hand-refilled bottles often have inconsistent liquid levels.
- Smell: Fake alcohol often has a harsh, solvent-like chemical smell similar to nail polish remover (acetone) or paint thinner. Never taste liquid if the smell raises suspicion.

𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗧 ☎️
Reporting illicit trade protects your community and cuts off funding for organised criminal syndicates. You can submit anonymous tip-offs through several official channels:

- SAPS Crime Stop: Call 08600 10111 or submit an anonymous tip via the MySAPS App.

- Consumer Goods Crime & Risk Initiative (CGCSA):
oToll-Free Hotline: [phone]
oApp: Report directly through the MyCGCSA barcode scanning app.
NB! In case the app doesn't work on your device, you can email CGCSA at [email protected]

- SALBA (South African Liquor Brandowners Association): Report illicit manufacturing or distribution via email at [email protected].

Emergency Note: If you or someone you know accidentally consumes suspected fake alcohol and experiences nausea, severe stomach pain, dizziness, or blurred vision, seek immediate medical attention at the nearest emergency room or hospital.

Sources: SALBA / CGCSA

#CarteBlanche #southafrica #news #YourChoiceHasPower

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Bhavna Lutchman is the Online Project Manager for Childline. She sees the online crime trends children are exposed to first-hand. #CarteBlanche @ermbates

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764 (or The Com) has been described as a violent online gore group that coerces children into committing unspeakable acts. 764-related crimes have been reported in the US, Europe, Australia and SA. #CarteBlanche @ermbates

[Carte Blanche @carteblanchetv]

Celeste van der Klashorst leads SECI, a unit of the SAPS investigating around 140,000 cases of online child sex crimes a year. #CarteBlanche @ermbates

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This man allegedly runs illegal distillery operations across the country. He claims to sell to legit liquor stores. #CarteBlanche @govanwhittles
#YourChoiceHasPower

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Just two tablespoons of pure methanol can blind you. This man allegedly runs large-scale illegal distilleries across the country. #CarteBlanche @govanwhittles #YourChoiceHasPower

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After the COJ cut off power to 22 child welfare NGOs, the Gauteng Health Dept brought in large-scale generators - spending thousands on diesel instead of paying its hefty utilities bill. #CarteBlanche @clairemawisa

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The Children's Memorial Institute houses the Johannesburg Autism School and 22 NGOs that care for disabled and vulnerable children. But why are they expected to pay Gauteng Health's massive laundry bill? #CarteBlanche @clairemawisa

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Government spent hundreds of thousands to burn diesel for a provincial laundry, while basic health and special-needs programmes were left in the dark. What does this say about their priorities? #CarteBlanche

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Gauteng Health has failed to pay utility bills for the Children's Memorial Institute, leaving the national 24-hour @ChildlineSA helpline offline for weeks. #CarteBlanche @clairemawisa

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The court preparation programme at the Teddy Bear Foundation is vital in helping make court proceedings less scary for child witnesses. But without power, the programme is on hold. #CarteBlanche @clairemawisa

[Carte Blanche @carteblanchetv]

Tonight on Carte Blanche:

We begin in Gauteng, where prolonged power cuts are affecting more than 20 organisations that care for and protect children.

Then, the latest instalment of our Illicit Trade series investigates the illegal alcohol trade.

We also look into the disturbing world of online child grooming, how predators operate, and the risks children face behind a screen.

And finally, we look ahead to a story about South Africans taking one of our most famous exports, biltong, to the U.S.

Which story do you think South Africans need to be talking about most tonight?
#CarteBlanche #SouthAfrica #IllicitTrade #ChildSafety

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Just a few sips can cause blindness; a couple of shots will kill. Lethal methanol infiltrates popular beverages, while bootleggers make millions in toxic profits. Join #CarteBlanche tonight at 7pm on @MNet channel 101, and @DStv Stream. #YourChoiceHasPower

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They don’t always look like predators, and they can find children in their own homes. Who is watching when children are coerced online? That's #CarteBlanche tonight 7pm on @MNet channel 101, and @DStv Stream.

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A centre for children plunged into darkness for weeks, while government departments squabble over who should foot the bill. That's #CarteBlanche tonight at 7pm on @MNet channel 101, and @DStv Stream.

[Carte Blanche @carteblanchetv]

It looks like your favourite drink. But it could contain a deadly secret ingredient. Fake alcohol floods the market – and consumers are paying the price. That's #CarteBlanche tonight at 7pm on @MNet channel 101, and @DStv Stream. #YourChoiceHasPower

[Carte Blanche @carteblanchetv]

From social media to private messaging, predators are finding, grooming and coercing children. How many fall through the cracks, and who are we missing? Join #CarteBlanche this Sunday at 7pm on @MNet channel 101, and @DStv Stream.

[Carte Blanche @carteblanchetv]

Hundreds of children, 22 NGOs and a laundry with a very big bill. While authorities argue, who is paying the price? That's #CarteBlanche this Sunday at 7pm on @MNet channel 101, and @DStv Stream.