Hamburg, Germany – A 21-year-old man, identified by the pseudonym “White Tiger,” is currently on trial in Hamburg, facing severe accusations of manipulating children online, which allegedly led to one suicide and multiple attempted suicides. The trial commenced on January 9, 2026, and is being conducted behind closed doors due to the defendant having committed the alleged offenses as a minor or young adult.
Accusations of Murder, Attempted Murder, and Child Abuse
The prosecution has charged the defendant with murder, attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, severe sexual abuse of children, and possession of child pornography. He has been in pre-trial detention since his arrest in June 2025. The defendant is alleged to have been a member of a criminal chat group known as “764,” where he exerted immense psychological pressure on children and adolescents aged between 11 and 15.
According to the indictment, in January 2022, “White Tiger” manipulated and pressured a 13-year-old boy from the USA into taking his own life on a live webcam. Months prior, he allegedly attempted similar manipulation with a 15-year-old Canadian girl, who survived. The accused is believed to have engaged in these manipulative tactics with over 30 children and adolescents from Germany and across the globe.
Defendant Attacked in Pre-Trial Detention
On Thursday, prior to the trial, the defendant was reportedly assaulted by other inmates at the Hamburg pre-trial detention center after being transferred from the Hahnöfersand youth correctional facility. His lawyer stated that inmates demanded his watch before assaulting him, leaving one side of his face severely swollen.
Trial Proceedings and Evidence
The trial is being heard by a youth chamber of the Hamburg Regional Court, with the public excluded. A court spokesperson confirmed that video chat recordings and witness testimonies will play a crucial role as evidence in the proceedings, which are scheduled to continue until the end of the year. Expert witnesses will also be heard. Due to the exclusion of the public, the spokesperson could not provide specific details regarding the evidence.
Manipulation Tactics: Building Trust and Coercion
According to the public prosecutor’s office, the modus operandi of the defendant and his accomplices involved initially building a strong relationship of trust with their often psychologically vulnerable victims. These victims were typically approached on social media or gaming platforms. Subsequently, children and adolescents were allegedly persuaded to perform sexual acts on themselves via webcam. “White Tiger” would then threaten to publish these recordings if the victims resisted his increasingly extreme demands.
Self-Harm as a Display of Power
The accused allegedly pressured victims into self-harm or humiliation, including ordering them to carve his pseudonym into their skin. Within the “764” group, such visible proof of successful manipulation was reportedly considered a significant achievement. Information from NDR indicates that group members shared instructions on how to effectively manipulate young people, particularly targeting girls with depression or psychological illnesses. The strategy involved making them feel loved before coercing them into self-harm or “blood content,” and then discarding them once their demands were met.
Protecting Children from Online Manipulators
Christina Khosrowi from the child protection organization “Innocence in Danger” emphasized that absolute protection against such manipulators is impossible. She advised that prohibitions often fail to deter children from engaging freely online. Instead, she stressed the importance of children feeling secure enough to confide in their parents without fear of punishment if they encounter problematic situations. Khosrowi highlighted the need for media literacy education, teaching children healthy skepticism when strangers shower them with excessive attention and affection online.
Support for Victims and Those with Suicidal Thoughts
For individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, anonymous and free assistance is available through services such as the Telefonseelsorge (telephone counseling) in Germany, reachable at 0800/111 0 111 and 0800/111 0 222, as well as 116 123. Chat support is also provided on their website. The German Society for Suicide Prevention lists various counseling centers for personal consultations.
Source: dpa and afp news agencies, Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk, Interview with Christina Khosrowi (WDR 5, Morgenecho, January 9, 2026, 6 AM)
