🔗 Share this article Privacy on the Internet is an Mirage’: Australian Teen Indicted Over Supposed Mass Shooting Prank in the US A youth from the state of NSW has been indicted following accusations he issuing several prank calls to emergency services – a practice known as “SWATting” – wrongly stating mass shootings were occurring at prominent shopping and universities across the US. Cross-Border Probe Leads to Charges Australian authorities laid charges against the young male on the 18th of December. They claim he belongs to an alleged loosely organised internet-based criminal group concealed by anonymous accounts in order to trigger an “rapid and major SWAT team deployment”. “Often young males aged from 11 to 25, are participating in offenses including swatting calls, doxxing and computer intrusion to gain status, a reputation and recognition in their internet circles.” During the case, authorities confiscated a number of electronic devices and a prohibited firearm located in the teen’s custody. This operation was executed by Taskforce Pompilid formed in the final quarter of 2025. Law Enforcement Deliver a Strong Caution An acting assistant commissioner, issuing a warning, warned that those believing they can commit crimes from behind a computer and encrypted identities were on notice. Australian police said it began its probe upon receiving intelligence from the FBI. A senior FBI official, from the FBI's international wing, said that the “dangerous and disturbing crime” of hoax 911 calls threatened public safety and drained critical emergency resources. “This case shows that hidden identity on the internet is an illusion,” he commented in a combined announcement with the AFP. He continued, “Our commitment is to partnering with our Australian counterparts, our international partners, and private sector partners to find and hold accountable individuals that exploit the internet to inflict damage to communities.” Judicial Next Steps The accused has been indicted on 12 counts of communications-related crimes and a further count of unauthorised possession of a banned gun. He could face up to 14 years in a correctional facility. “The AFP’s commitment (is|remains) to halting the damage and suffering individuals of such networks are inflicting on the community, under the mistaken belief they are hidden,” the assistant commissioner said. The boy was set to appear in a NSW children’s court on this week.