An Australian teenager has been accused of making hoax calls to US emergency services about mass shootings at schools and retail outlets.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said they were tipped off by the FBI about an Australian-based member of a shadowy, decentralised online crime network linked to the dangerous phenomenon known as ‘swatting.’
Swatting involves making fake emergency calls to provoke armed police raids and emergency deployments, a crime authorities warn can have deadly consequences.
When AFP officers raided a regional NSW home in December, they seized multiple electronic devices and a firearm.
The teenage boy now faces serious charges, including 12 counts of using a telecommunications network to commit a serious offence and conveying false information about danger.
He also faces a firearm possession charge that carries a maximum penalty of 14 years behind bars.
He was due to appear in a NSW Children’s Court on Tuesday.
Acting AFP Assistant Commissioner Graeme Marshall said the case highlights the global reach and devastating impact of online crime networks.
Electronic devices were seized from a home in regional NSW as part of the investigation
‘This young individual allegedly caused widespread alarm and turmoil to thousands of people, businesses and services in the US, resulting in significant financial and emotional harm,’ Marshall said.
‘These perpetrators, often young males aged from 11-25, are engaging in crime types such as swatting, doxxing and hacking to achieve 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.’
The AFP said it was working closely with international law enforcement partners, including the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, Australia, the US, UK, Canada, and New Zealand, under Taskforce Pompilid, launched in October 2025 to dismantle decentralised online crime networks.
FBI Assistant Director Jason A. Kaplan warned that swatting is ‘a dangerous and disruptive crime that endangers lives and drains critical emergency resources.’
‘The FBI views swatting as a dangerous and disruptive crime that endangers lives and drains critical emergency resources,’ he said.
‘This case demonstrates that anonymity online is an illusion.’
AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said members of the network are ‘cowards’ and are typically young males from English-speaking countries with common beliefs in violent extremism, nihilism, Nazism, Satanism and sadism.
The boy has also been charged with having a prohibited firearm
‘Members of this decentralised online criminal network are cowards who hide in the dark corners of the internet and partake in criminal activities,’ she said.
‘These online criminals believe they can hide online and commit abhorrent crimes with no repercussions for the pain caused from behind a keyboard.’
