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The Department of Justice has announced that charges have been filed against two foreign nations who allegedly orchestrated a swatting scheme that targeted dozens of people, including top US government officials.
What’s the deal: According to the Department of Justice, Thomasz Szabo of Romania and Nemanja Radovanovic of Serbia allegedly orchestrated a swatting campaign by obtaining personal information, such as home addresses, of their targets and then falsely reporting emergencies to provoke police responses at those locations. Szabo, identified as the organizer, managed communication among the conspirators through online chat groups where they used various monikers to coordinate their activities and execute the swatting attacks and bomb threats. The DOJ charged both men with conspiracy, multiple counts of threats involving false information about explosives, and transmitting threats in interstate and foreign commerce.
Who they targeted: According to the DOJ, the two men targeted a wide range of individuals, including 40 private citizens and 61 high-ranking government officials. Among those targeted were members of Congress, Cabinet-level executive branch officials, senior officials from federal law enforcement agencies, and state officials. Their campaign also extended to bomb threats against businesses, religious institutions, and a university.
What the US is saying: In a statement, US Attorney Matthew M. Graves said, “Swatting is not a victimless prank—it endangers real people, wastes precious police resources, and inflicts significant emotional trauma. We will use every tool at our disposal to find the perpetrators and hold them accountable, no matter where they might be.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg said, “Today’s charges demonstrate how seriously the FBI takes the crime of Swatting, which can prevent law enforcement resources from getting to people who actually need them, as well as put lives in danger. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who commit this dangerous crime, no matter where they reside.”
