A disturbing trend has emerged in the US: a surge in swatting incidents targeting universities, orchestrated by an online group linked to the violent extremist network, The Com. These aren’t just pranks; they’re calculated acts of terror, causing widespread panic, diverting vital emergency services, and costing institutions significant resources. This blog post delves into the details of this alarming situation, exploring the motivations, methods, and consequences of this escalating crisis.
The perpetrators, operating under the moniker “Purgatory,” are offering their services for a price: hoax threats against schools (swatting) for $20, escalating to $50 for hospitals, businesses, and airports. The group even advertised “slashings” and “brickings” for as little as $10, suggesting a disturbing willingness to incite real-world violence. The recent media attention, however, has driven up their prices significantly, highlighting the opportunistic nature of their criminal enterprise.
What Happened? 📝
Since August 21st, over a dozen universities have been targeted with false 911 calls reporting active shooters. These incidents forced lockdowns, disrupting classes, creating widespread fear among students and faculty, and consuming significant resources from law enforcement agencies. The sheer volume of calls, some institutions receiving multiple false alerts, underscores the coordinated and malicious nature of this campaign.
One individual, known online as “Gores,” claimed responsibility for the attacks, stating that Purgatory, the group he co-leads, had earned approximately $100,000 since the swatting spree began. While this figure hasn’t been independently verified, independent researchers corroborated the group’s activities by listening to live audio streams of the swatting calls. In one instance, a researcher even managed to alert the targeted institution, preventing further panic and wasted resources.
Who is Behind This? 🕵️
Purgatory is linked to 764, a nihilistic subgroup of The Com, notorious for its targeted harassment campaigns against children. The Com’s history is rife with accusations of serious crimes, ranging from extortion and doxing to sexual abuse, kidnapping, and even murder. This context paints a chilling picture of the individuals behind the swatting incidents, revealing a pattern of violent and malicious behavior.
The group’s brazenness is evident in their celebration of media coverage of their actions on their Telegram channel. This highlights the need for stricter online monitoring and a more proactive approach to combating online extremism and the spread of harmful ideologies.
The Impact and Response 🚨
The consequences of these swatting attacks are far-reaching. Universities face significant disruptions, diverting resources from essential services and creating a climate of fear and anxiety among students and staff. Law enforcement agencies are stretched thin responding to false alarms, diverting resources from genuine emergencies. The emotional toll on victims is immense, leaving lasting psychological scars from the experience of a terrifying, life-threatening event.
Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, are actively investigating these incidents. They’ve emphasized the seriousness of these hoaxes, highlighting the drain on resources and the immense risk to innocent lives. The FBI’s statement underscores the need for a collaborative effort to combat this growing threat, involving law enforcement, educational institutions, and technology companies.
The Beginning of the Spree 🗓️
The current wave of swatting attacks began on August 21st, the same day the Purgatory Telegram channel was launched. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga was the first target, experiencing a lockdown lasting over an hour. Villanova University was another early victim, disrupted during its orientation mass. This synchronicity suggests a deliberate and coordinated campaign.
The timing, coinciding with the start of the new academic year, highlights the malicious intent to maximize disruption and fear among students returning to campus. This calculated targeting of vulnerable populations underscores the severity of the threat posed by this group.
Key Takeaways 🔑
- A coordinated swatting spree targeting US universities has resulted in widespread disruption and fear.
- The perpetrators, linked to a violent extremist group, are profiting from their actions.
- Law enforcement agencies are actively investigating, but the threat remains significant.
- The incident highlights the challenges of combating online extremism and the need for increased collaboration.
- The psychological impact on victims and the drain on resources are substantial.
The swatting attacks serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of online extremism, a phenomenon that can range from government propaganda using viral memes to these life-threatening hoaxes. Increased vigilance, improved online monitoring, and stronger collaboration between law enforcement, educational institutions, and tech companies are crucial in preventing future incidents and bringing those responsible to justice.
Source: This Is the Group That’s Been Swatting US Universities
