A teenager from the Central Coast has been charged with making multiple hoax “swat” calls to emergency services, claiming mass shootings were taking place at major US retailers and educational institutions.
Australian Federal Police executed a search warrant on the 13-year-old boy’s home after receiving intelligence from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, citing concerns over an Australian member of a decentralised online crime network suspected of being linked to the major swatting events.
Swatting refers to a hoax call to emergency services, triggering the deployment of an urgent and large-scale response, often from a specialised police force.
Police seized electronic devices and a prohibited firearm during a search at the boy’s home on December 18.
He was subsequently charged with 12 counts of using a telecommunications network with the intention to commit a serious offence, and one count of unauthorised possession of a prohibited firearm.
Graeme Marshall, the AFP’s acting assistant commissioner, said the boy was investigated through taskforce Pompilid, which was established in October last year to investigate anonymous online crime networks.
Marshall said perpetrators, often young men aged between 11 and 25, engage in crimes such as swatting, hacking or doxxing (leaking personal details) to gain status, notoriety and recognition in their online groups.
“In this investigation, a young boy from regional NSW allegedly caused widespread alarm and turmoil to thousands of people, businesses and services in the United States, resulting in significant financial implications,” he said.
Jason Kaplan, the FBI’s international operations division assistant director, said his agency views swatting as a dangerous crime that drains critical emergency resources.
“This case demonstrates that anonymity online is an illusion, and we are committed to working with the AFP, our international partners, and private sector partners to identify and hold accountable those who exploit technology to cause harm to communities,” Kaplan said.
The boy is scheduled to appear in a NSW Children’s Court on January 13. His identity cannot be revealed for legal reasons.
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