Law enforcement agencies have been grappling with a disturbing trend: the emergence of teenage individuals offering their services as “swatters-for-hire,” carrying out dangerous hoax bomb threats and mass shooting calls. These incidents not only put innocent lives at risk but also drain valuable resources.
One particular case that has caught the attention of the authorities involves a California teenager named Alan Winston Filion, also known as “Torswats.” Filion stands accused of orchestrating hundreds of swatting and bomb threat incidents across the United States. Charging a fee of $75, he targeted high schools, places of worship, US Senators, and even the Supreme Court with his bogus threats.
On January 18th, Filion was apprehended at his home in Lancaster, Orange County, and extradited to Seminole County, Florida. There, he faced charges related to a false police report of a mass shooting at a local mosque in May 2023. During the incident, Filion allegedly contacted a dispatch operator, claiming to possess a handgun and explosive devices while playing audio of gunfire in the background. The response from law enforcement was swift, with around 30 heavily armed officers dispatched to the mosque.
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Investigators discovered that Filion had been operating under the pseudonym “Torswats” and had advertised his swatting services on the encrypted messaging app Telegram. The channel offered different packages, with prices ranging from $40 for an EMS/Fire/gas leak callout to $75 for a bomb threat or mass shooting threat. Returning customers were even offered discounts. Recordings of previous swatting incidents were posted on the channel, where Filion took credit for threatening schools across several states.
Authorities had been monitoring the Torswats Telegram channel for nearly two years before Filion’s arrest. They connected the channel to threats against US Senators, the Supreme Court, and multiple threats of violence directed at Anacortes High School in Skagit County, Washington. To track down the perpetrator, investigators followed a digital trail of Lord of the Rings-related usernames found on YouTube and Discord.
Swatting, a dangerous form of criminal harassment, originated in online gaming circles in the early 2000s. It involves making false emergency reports, such as crimes, mass shootings, or kidnappings, with the intention of inciting an armed response. The innocent victims of swatting often find themselves facing armed responders, putting their lives in immediate danger. Hoax callouts to synagogues, churches, universities, and sports stadiums have also become distressingly common.
The incidence of swatting incidents has been on the rise in recent years. Celebrities, public figures, lawmakers, and even the White House have fallen victim to these dangerous hoaxes. The false callouts trigger tactical response teams to descend on the targeted locations, posing a significant risk to the individuals involved. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, GOP lawmakers Marjorie Taylor Greene and Brandon Williams, and Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley are among those who have experienced swatting firsthand.
Swatting not only endangers lives but also places a considerable strain on law enforcement resources. Responding to these fake emergencies diverts valuable personnel and equipment away from genuine situations where lives may be at stake. The White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, has addressed the growing swatting scourge, acknowledging the danger it poses to society as a whole.
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Recognizing the severity of the issue, the FBI launched a national database in May 2023 to track swatting incidents and facilitate information sharing between law enforcement agencies across the country. This database has already received over 550 reports of swatting incidents in just seven months. Law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal levels are working together to identify and prosecute those responsible for these crimes.
Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma has emphasized that swatting will face zero tolerance, and measures have been put in place to ensure the identification and prosecution of offenders. The arrest and extradition of Alan Winston Filion are a stark warning to others engaged in this dangerous activity.
