A teenager from a regional Australian town faces multiple charges over hoax emergency calls to major businesses and educational institutions in the United States after a tip-off from the FBI.
Australian Federal Police charged the boy from regional NSW on December 18, alleging he was part of a crime network which raised false alarms about fake threats in the US.
Officers seized electronic devices and a prohibited firearm in the juvenile's possession as part of Taskforce Pompilid, established in October 2025.
They alleged he was part of an online "decentralised" global network hiding behind a keyboard and savvy technological skills to engage in criminal behaviour.
The dangerous practice known as "swatting" was where fake calls were made to emergency services to trigger an urgent and large-scale emergency response.
AFP Acting Assistant Commissioner Graeme Marshall warned perpetrators believing they could commit crimes with an internet connection and encrypted identities were on notice.
"The AFP's commitment [is] to stopping the harm and pain members of this online crime network are inflicting on society, under the mistaken belief they are anonymous," he said on Tuesday.
"These perpetrators, often young males aged from 11-25, are engaging in crime types such as swatting, doxxing and hacking to achieve status, notoriety and recognition in their online groups."
The teenager was charged with 12 counts of telecommunications offences and one count of unauthorised possession of a prohibited firearm and could face up to 14 years in jail.
The boy was scheduled to appear in a NSW Children's Court on Tuesday.
FBI International Operations Division assistant director Jason Kaplan said the "dangerous and disruptive crime" of fake emergency calls endangered lives and drained critical emergency resources.
"This case demonstrates that anonymity online is an illusion," he said in the joint statement with the AFP.
"We are committed to working with the AFP, our international partners, and private sector partners to identify and hold accountable those who exploit technology to cause harm to communities."
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