# German criminal investigations into online groups

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/german-criminal-investigations-into-online-groups
> Updated: 2026-11-09T20:15:48.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

German authorities have initiated legal proceedings against individuals linked to extremist and criminal online networks. In one case, a 17-year-old was charged in the Heilbronn Regional Court for allegedly being a member of the Nefarious Maniac Cult (NMK), a splinter group of the 764 network. The charges include the production of child pornography and severe sexual abuse of minors, with authorities alleging the group used online games to manipulate victims. 

In a separate investigation, an 18-year-old was detained on suspicion of instigating a crime as the alleged founder of the far-right WhatsApp group “Terror 18.” Prosecutors are investigating the group for allegedly planning an attack on a refugee shelter in Winsen and discussing arson and violence against migrants. Related investigations involve a 15-year-old facing charges for the preparation of a terrorist offense.

## Timeline

### 2026-11-09: German authorities detain alleged founder of Terror 18 chat group

An 18-year-old man is in custody for allegedly founding the “Terror 18” neo-Nazi chat group, which planned an attack on a German refugee shelter.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-authorities-detain-alleged-founder-of-terror-18-chat-group

### 2026-10-23: German authorities charge 17-year-old in online abuse case

A 17-year-old faces charges in Germany for sexual abuse, child pornography, and recruiting for the criminal online group Nefarious Maniac Cult (NMK).

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-authorities-charge-teenager-in-online-abuse-case

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Cite as: German criminal investigations into online groups. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/german-criminal-investigations-into-online-groups