Key Takeaways
• A neo-Nazi group called Black Sun Militia plotted attacks on Jews, migrants, banks and tech firms.
• The leader, Vincent Weidlich, was arrested in Brazil days before the planned strike on October 16, 2024.
• He led a secret life as an AI and neuroscience researcher under a fake name.
• Splinter cells in Hungary tried small-scale attacks after his arrest.
• The case highlights the danger of encrypted chats and the need for global cooperation.
In October 2024, an encrypted Signal chat named Black Sun Militia drew nearly 150 members.
Its leader urged lone wolves to act and inspire others.
They shared violent instructions against Jews and mosques.
They even listed chemicals to burn skin.
Their goal was to spread fear and chaos across Western democracies.
How Black Sun Militia Planned Global Attacks
The group’s target list named many sites.
First, all synagogues, Jewish schools and community centers.
Next, every Israeli embassy and consulate.
Then, all mosques and migrant camps.
They added big banks, finance firms and pharma companies.
They also named tech giants, media outlets and government buildings.
They believed strikes on these sites would weaken Western societies.
In addition, they hoped anger would fuel more attacks.
Sudden Arrest in Brazil
However, days before the planned October 16 attack, the Black Sun Militia leader disappeared.
Members worried the group might end without him.
One wrote that if he was dead, the militia would die too.
On October 14, Brazilian authorities arrested him.
His name was Vincent Weidlich.
He faced terrorism and genocide-incitement charges.
A court ordered him to forensic psychiatric care indefinitely.
Officials keep his trial details secret by court order.
The Leader’s Double Life
Weidlich led a strange double life.
He held a business degree from a London university.
Then he shifted to AI and brain science research.
He formed Synthetic Intelligence Labs in Sheffield and Palo Alto.
He used the pseudonym Vincent Jorgsson for papers.
On Discord, he built a global research community.
He even posted a TikTok video about connecting rat brains to computers.
Meanwhile, few research partners knew his violent agenda.
Police found bomb chemicals at his home.
They also saw a Russian land deal on his phone.
He had plans to build an off-grid lab in Russia.
Splinter Cells and Continuing Threat
After his arrest, the main chat collapsed into chaos.
Some argued the movement should die without a leader.
Others urged members to act on their own.
A Hungarian branch formed with a separate Signal group.
They warned of attacks on October 23, the 1956 uprising anniversary.
Hungarian police detained six youths with airsoft and fake weapons.
Authorities tied the warning to a U.S. Secret Service alert.
The suspects claimed no link to the original plot.
Still, this split shows extremist networks can rebrand quickly.
What This Means for Online Security
The Black Sun Militia case shows how tech can aid evil plans.
Encrypted apps and gaming chats hide real threats.
Extremists can blend with legitimate research communities.
They share ideas under the cover of science.
Law enforcement needs digital tools to decode encrypted traffic.
They also rely on tips from journalists and activists.
Swift data sharing across countries proved crucial here.
Brazil, Sweden, Hungary and the U.S. cooperated to stop the plot.
Families and educators should learn warning signs of radicalization.
Lessons for the Future
First, watch for strange double lives. A friendly expert may hide a dark side.
Second, monitor encrypted chat risks. Small groups can plan big attacks.
Third, share intelligence across borders quickly and carefully.
Fourth, support safe reporting. Journalists and citizens can tip off authorities.
Fifth, educate youth on spotting hate messages online and speaking up.
FAQs
What enabled authorities to stop the plot?
Tips from infiltrating journalists, along with cross-border police work, led to the leader’s arrest before October 16.
Why did the group target Jews, migrants and big institutions?
They followed a white-supremacist theory blaming these groups for controlling governments and media.
What happened to the Hungarian splinter cell?
Hungarian police detained six suspects with fake weapons after a U.S. warning about an Oct 23 attack.
Could similar plots happen again?
Yes. Extremists can form new encrypted groups quickly, so public awareness and global cooperation must stay strong.