Trial Begins for ‘White Tiger’: Allegations of Child Manipulation and Suicide
Hamburg, February 2, 2026 – A 21-year-old man, known by the pseudonym “White Tiger,” is currently standing trial in Hamburg, facing serious charges related to the manipulation and abuse of children online. The prosecution alleges that he, as a member of the criminal chat group “764,” exerted immense psychological pressure on children and adolescents aged between 11 and 15 years, leading to one suicide and attempting five others.
The accused has been in pre-trial detention since his arrest in June 2025. The charges against him include murder, attempted murder, dangerous bodily harm, severe child sexual abuse, and possession of child pornography. Due to the defendant allegedly committing the more than 200 alleged offenses as a minor or young adult, the proceedings are being held before a juvenile chamber of the Hamburg Regional Court, closed to the public.
Defendant Attacked in Pre-Trial Detention
According to his lawyer, the defendant was attacked by other inmates on Thursday while being transferred from the Hahnöfersand youth detention center to a collective cell in Hamburg’s pre-trial detention facility. The inmates reportedly demanded his watch before assaulting him, leaving one side of his face severely swollen.
Key Evidence: Video Chats and Expert Testimonies
A court spokesperson confirmed that video chat recordings and witness testimonies will play a central role in the trial, which is scheduled to run until the end of the year. Experts will also be heard. Due to the exclusion of the public, the spokesperson could not provide specific details on the evidence but confirmed the start of the proceedings.
13-Year-Old US Boy Died by Suicide on Webcam
According to the indictment, “White Tiger” allegedly manipulated and pressured a 13-year-old boy from the USA in January 2022, leading him to take his own life on webcam. Months prior, he reportedly made a similar attempt with a 15-year-old Canadian girl, who survived. In total, the accused is believed to have targeted over 30 children and adolescents from Germany and around the world.
Modus Operandi: Building Trust, Then Blackmail
According to the public prosecutor’s office, the accused and his accomplices would initially build a close relationship of trust with their often psychologically vulnerable victims, whom they had approached on social networks or gaming platforms. They would then persuade the children and adolescents to perform sexual acts on webcam. “White Tiger” allegedly threatened to publish these recordings if the victims did not comply with his increasingly extreme demands.
Self-Harm as a Display of Power
Among other things, “White Tiger” reportedly pressured victims to self-harm or humiliate themselves. For instance, he commanded them to carve his pseudonym into their skin. Within the “764” group, such visible proof of successful manipulation was reportedly considered a significant achievement.
According to information from NDR, group members shared instructions on how to effectively manipulate young people. Chats indicated that girls with depression or mental illness were particularly vulnerable. The strategy involved making them feel loved before pushing them towards self-harm or “blood content.” Once they had “done everything,” they were to be “discarded.”
Protecting Children: The Role of Parents and Media Literacy
Christina Khosrowi from the child protection organization “Innocence in Danger” emphasized on Friday that absolute protection against such manipulators is impossible. Prohibitions often fail to prevent children and adolescents from engaging freely online and maintaining social contacts. However, it is crucial that if they encounter the wrong people, they feel safe to confide in their parents without fear of punishment.
Khosrowi also stressed the importance of media literacy. Parents should teach their children healthy skepticism when strangers shower them with affection and attention, rather than waiting until the new online friend demands uncomfortable things.
Support for Suicidal Thoughts and Abuse
For those experiencing suicidal thoughts, anonymous and free help is available from organizations like the Telefonseelsorge (German telephone counseling service) at 0800/111 0 111 and 0800/111 0 222, as well as 116 123. Chat support is also available on their website. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Suizidprävention (German Society for Suicide Prevention) lists counseling centers for personal discussions.
Source: dpa and afp news agencies, Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk, Interview with Christina Khosrowi, WDR 5, Morgenecho, 09.01.2026, 6 AM
