Four arrested for SWATting and doxing attacks

Police in Hungary and Romania have arrested four young men accused of making fake bomb threats and terrorizing internet users through SWATting and doxing. A video released by law enforcement shows how officers simultaneously raided four locations in Hungary and Romania, seizing computers, smartphones and other digital assets.

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According to a press release from Hungarian police, the investigation began in the middle of last year when authorities received multiple alarming reports within a few days. Anonymous callers allegedly threatened to blow up schools, churches and other buildings, made threats against police officers and claimed to kill people. In response to each threat, police deployed resources to investigate who might be behind the threats, only for investigators to later discover that the hoax calls were actually SWATting attacks.

SWATting is a particularly sneaky way to make someone else's life miserable without having to leave your home. All you have to do is fake a phone call to the police claiming that serious criminal activity (like someone being held hostage or a bomb threat) is taking place on your victim's property. The next thing you know, an armed SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team has been dispatched to raid someone's unsuspecting home.

It's an extremely dangerous prank, which has led to deaths in the past, including an innocent man in Kansas who was shot by police in 2017 after a hoax call about a supposed hostage situation.

The Hungarian investigation found that the attacks stemmed from petty disputes on Discord, a popular communication platform widely used by online gamers. After arguments with other users on the platform, the suspects allegedly obtained their victims’ personal information, such as their names, addresses and phone numbers. First, the details were posted online in what is known as “doxing” (with the intention of helping others harass or intimidate the individual).

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Second, phone numbers were spoofed when making threatening calls to the police, effectively directing emergency services to their door. The suspects include a 17-year-old from Bihar County, Romania, a 16-year-old from Kisvárda, Hungary, an 18-year-old from Nyíregyháza, Hungary, and a 20-year-old from Budapest, Hungary. The 16-year-old was questioned on suspicion of endangering public safety. He has denied involvement and remains at large pending further investigation.

The Romanian teenager faces more serious charges, including terrorism offenses, endangering public safety, multiple counts of false accusation and misuse of personal data. He also remains at large while investigations continue. Meanwhile, the status of the two main suspects is still being determined as police continue to examine the seized digital evidence and devices.

Hungarian police are keen to stress that SWATting and doxing are serious crimes that endanger lives and are not innocent jokes. “The police emphasise that swatting and doxing are serious crimes that endanger the lives of others and are not a joke,” the Hungarian police press release states. “The authorities will continue to take decisive action against perpetrators in the future, using international cooperation when necessary.” What may, to an immature mind, seem like a way to “win” an online dispute can lead to armed police officers breaking down an innocent person’s door, with unforeseeable consequences.

See also: Spain: 19-year-old hacker arrested for data theft

But one thing is predictable: if you SWAT someone, you may end up with criminal charges that will follow you for the rest of your life.