A 19-year-old who uses the online handle Famed God has been arrested on suspicion of being behind a swatting prank.
Swatting is carried out by people who report a fake emergency to police - such as gunshots and screaming - at the address of a supposed "victim".
Armed officers then swoop, smashing down doors and firing smoke grenades as they carry out an assault on the property - only to learn later that it is a hoax.
Brandon Wilson was held in connection with a July swatting incident in suburban Illinois.
He faces an extradition hearing to decide whether he should be sent there from his home state of Nevada.
He is accused of reporting a murder to Naperville's emergency services. A SWAT team responded but established that it was a hoax call.
Wilson is also alleged to have hacked into the consoles of two individuals, and making threats to access their personal and financial records.
If found guilty, he could face up to five years in prison.
Illinois state attorney James Glasgow called swatting a "dangerous prank".
A new law being drafted in the state could also see perpetrators of swatting pranks being forced to pay the costs of sending out emergency response teams.
watch here
No comments:
Post a Comment