I’ve discussed Swatting before, and how stupid I think it is. Through social engineering angry or stupid (or both!) kids on the internet make hoax calls to law enforcement authorities, convincing them to send heavily armed groups of officials in to innocent people’s homes for the lulz.
It’s not only a terrible waste of resources, but it’s terribly dangerous too – all it takes is somebody making the wrong split-second decision and it could easily end up with people being wounded, or worse – killed. There’s been little repercussion for those perpetuating this sort of abuse, but one 22 year old gamer’s just found himself facing a year of jail time.
Matthew Tollis, member of a group of wayward gamers calling themselves “TeAM Crucifix or Die” was arrested last year for his part in swatting pranks involving the Boston Convention Exhibition Center, Boston University, two high schools in New Jersey and a high school in Texas has been sentenced to a year and a day’s worth of prison, he’ll also be forced to do community service.
“Swatting is not a schoolboy prank, it’s a federal crime,” said U.S. Attorney Dierdre Daly. “These hoaxes have expended critical law enforcement resources and caused severe emotional distress for thousands of victims.”
Honestly though, I don’t think it’s enough. While it’s great that swatters are finally being brought to justice, I think the penalties should be higher; not only are you endangering people’s lives by having armed men with itchy trigger fingers break down their doors, but you’re potentially diverting those people away from situations where they might actually be needed.
“The problem is these police forces when they show up, they show up heavily armed. The police force that showed up at my home wasn’t a SWAT team, but had automatic weapons,” said Brian Krebs, who runs a Krebs on Security and was a victim of Swatting himself.
“These situations can get very intense very quickly,” he said. “These guys come in and they’re pumped. They’re ready to respond to a high energy intense situation and their fingers are on the trigger. This is going to be a bad situation at some point when they kick in a door and somebody is defending their home.”
This swatting nonsense needs to stop. The next time I hear SWAT on a game site, I want it to be because Sierra (or Activision’s the case may be) is publishing a new one.
Last Updated: October 12, 2015
Grand Admiral Chief
October 12, 2015 at 14:38
http://www.asicentral.com/images/blogs/grumpy-good.jpg
Ottokie
October 12, 2015 at 14:54
http://firstandmonday.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/grumpy-cat.jpeg
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 12, 2015 at 14:55
…
Grand Admiral Chief
October 12, 2015 at 15:01
FUS RO GOOD
RustedFaith
October 12, 2015 at 16:21
rofl!
Hammersteyn
October 12, 2015 at 14:38
The only thing Matthew is swatting now are penises
Grand Admiral Chief
October 12, 2015 at 14:39
Bwhahahahahahahaha
Skyblue
October 12, 2015 at 21:39
LOL!
Grand Admiral Chief
October 12, 2015 at 14:39
Matthew Tollis, the Trollis
Mistake Not...
October 12, 2015 at 14:39
Regardless of the sentence, this guy is 22 years old. Seriously, this is past the point of ‘no, it’s the parents’ fault etc.’. This guy probably has an IQ equal to his age.
Hammersteyn
October 12, 2015 at 14:46
Hopefully this deters future swatters. Yes it’s bad for a 22 year old to get jail time and a criminal record all because of a prank but pranks can have horrible consequences.
Grand Admiral Chief
October 12, 2015 at 14:42
SWAT 3 NEEDs a remaster
Pariah
October 12, 2015 at 14:44
I’d actually buy that.
Grand Admiral Chief
October 12, 2015 at 14:45
Just slap in some sniper elements (I can’t recall it had that)
Hammersteyn
October 12, 2015 at 14:46
I can just have pistols, SOLD
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 12, 2015 at 14:45
It’s not ha-ha-harmless fun. It’s reckless endangerment.
Hammersteyn
October 12, 2015 at 14:47
Like a night with Rince out on the town?
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 12, 2015 at 14:48
Now you understand my pain.
Valenlord
October 12, 2015 at 14:47
How much time will a swatter of flies get you??? Then I am in deeeeep sh!t….
Pariah
October 12, 2015 at 14:48
Interesting role reversal though.
Bagel
October 12, 2015 at 14:48
Mr Tim, the first sentence.
“I’ve discussed Swatting before, and how stupid I think it.”
Thank me later boo :*
Pariah
October 12, 2015 at 14:51
What are you talk about?
Bagel
October 12, 2015 at 14:53
The sentence ._.
Is it correct? or am i just shitty at the English language?
Im leaning towards the latter ._.
Grand Admiral Chief
October 12, 2015 at 14:55
*Or
*I
*I’m
Also, you were correct in the first sense, and it should be fixed now, if I can wake Geoff up that is
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 12, 2015 at 14:55
Wake Geoff up… huehuehue
Grand Admiral Chief
October 12, 2015 at 14:56
A MONOLITHICAL TASK
Bagel
October 12, 2015 at 14:58
WHAT NOW SPELLING MISTAKE FANSHITS ?? 😀
Thanks Mr Chief <3
Pariah
October 12, 2015 at 15:03
I’m assuming you didn’t notice my intentional spelling error?
Bagel
October 12, 2015 at 15:08
No I did, but I assumed it was sarcasm hence why I asked if I was correct.
lol
Pariah
October 12, 2015 at 15:13
No, you were correct. Me just mucking about, as usual. 🙂
Bagel
October 12, 2015 at 15:44
Dont let me stop you.
Mucking about > normal things
Always.
Valenlord
October 12, 2015 at 14:50
You know now that I am thinking it… Swatting will never work in the good old SA… Here if you call them you would be pranked because they will never arrive…
konfab
October 12, 2015 at 16:12
I disagree, you can tip off the cops that someone has an unpaid speeding fine.
They will probably call the special tasks group.
Ottokie
October 12, 2015 at 15:05
“for his part in swatting pranks involving the Boston Convention Exhibition Center, Boston University, two high schools in New Jersey and a high school in Texas has been sentenced to a year and a day’s worth of prison, he’ll also be forced to do community service.”
Seriously! all that and this sub standard useless waste of human trash does not get more than 1 year prison time (he is 22!). I have seen the video about a couple of these “swatters” and its freaking dangerous!
Jonah Cash
October 12, 2015 at 15:20
Mesmerizing to say the least O_o
Deceased
October 12, 2015 at 15:43
“… for the lulz.”
You have that all wrong … trolls try to troll the grammar nazis as well, so it goes:
“fo’ teh lulz.” 😀
Though I’m with everyone above… GOOD
Nikola
October 12, 2015 at 15:46
At first it sounds like a funny idea but if you just think a bit not a LOT just a tiny bit you realize what kind of implications this kind of prank could have. I guess this guy couldn’t even think a bit about his actions now he is paying the price rightfully so.