"Officers seized a number of electronic devices and a prohibited firearm in the juvenile's possession as part of Taskforce Pompilid established in October 2025. Graeme Marshall, the acting assistant commissioner of the AFP, speaking generally, warned people believing they can commit crimes with an internet connection and encrypted identities were on notice. Often young males aged from 11 to 25, are engaging in crime types such as swatting, doxing and hacking to achieve status, notoriety and recognition in their online groups."
"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."
A teenager in New South Wales was charged with making multiple hoax emergency reports known as swatting, falsely claiming mass shootings at major US retail and educational institutions. The AFP charged the boy on 18 December, alleging he belonged to a decentralised online crime network that triggered urgent, large-scale emergency responses. Officers seized electronic devices and a prohibited firearm under Taskforce Pompilid, established October 2025. The AFP and FBI said anonymity online is an illusion and warned that fake emergency calls endanger lives and drain resources. The teenager faces 12 telecommunications offence counts and one charge for unauthorised possession of a prohibited firearm, with a possible 14-year sentence.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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