Trial Begins for Alleged Online Predator Linked to Child Suicide Cases

On Friday, in Hamburg, Germany, the trial of 21-year-old German-Iranian Shahriar J, known by the pseudonym "White Tiger," commenced. Shahriar J stands accused of an extensive range of offenses, including murder and attempted murder, as part of his involvement with an international online predator network labeled as 764. The network allegedly manipulated vulnerable minors over the internet, leading some to tragic outcomes such as self-harm and suicide. One of the most heart-wrenching cases linked to Shahriar J involves a 13-year-old transgender youth from near Seattle, who live-streamed their suicide in January 2022. Reports indicate that this young victim was tragically coerced by Shahriar J, who reportedly operated from the comfort of his affluent family home in Hamburg, using the alias White Tiger. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation has characterized network 764 as a dangerous international child exploitation enterprise comprised of violent nihilistic extremists. Notably, the group takes its name from the Texas zip code of its founder, a teenager who was arrested and jailed in 2023. According to prosecution, Shahriar J is linked to over 30 young victims in almost 204 cases since January 2021, when he was 16 years old. Because he was a minor at the time of the alleged crimes, he is being tried in juvenile court under closed proceedings to protect his identity and the sensitive nature of the cases. The online community tied to 764 is described as a disturbing platform where members share highly explicit violent content and child sexual abuse material, while also sharing methods for luring young victims into producing such content. Shahriar J is said to have targeted vulnerable children through online chats and gaming platforms, developing grooming relationships that culminated in coercing them into producing pornographic materials. This content was then reportedly wielded for blackmail. With an extensive list of charges laid against him, including one count of murder and five counts of attempted murder, Shahriar J's trial could result in a sentence of six months to 10 years in a young offenders' institution if convicted. His lawyer, Christiane Yueksel, has contested the veracity of the charges, claiming they are experimental and challenging to prove. Shahriar J's arrest followed a police raid at his parents' home on June 17, 2025, and he has since remained in pretrial detention. Eight victims have been identified by authorities, aged between 11 and 15, located in countries including the UK, Canada, Germany, and the US. This case has sparked significant controversy and criticism regarding the response of German authorities, with reports suggesting they received prior warnings about Shahriar J and his predatory behavior. The weekly publication Die Zeit revealed that the U.S. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children had warned German authorities about an online predator named White Tiger back in 2021. Although he was questioned then, the case was later dropped after the suspect admitted to possessing pornographic materials involving minors. An FBI investigator relayed to Der Spiegel that he provided the identity of White Tiger to German law enforcement in February 2023—more than two years before his eventual arrest. Hamburg's authorities have faced scrutiny for their handling of the case, citing the challenges of wading through a large volume of data seized during the investigation and the difficulties of tracking down victims and other perpetrators, many of whom reside abroad and often hide their identities. The Hamburg regional court has organized an initial 82 days of hearings set to extend until December 17, 2026, and additional investigations against the same network are ongoing. The current trial is expected to set a crucial legal precedent as authorities work to address the pervasive threat of online child exploitation. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2