Priya PatelTLDR:
- A person in Serbia has been linked to over 100 swatting calls targeting senior Biden administration officials
- Federal authorities seized evidence from the person of interest’s residence in Serbia
Federal authorities have linked a person in Serbia to more than 100 swatting calls, many of which targeted senior Biden administration officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Cybersecurity, Infrastructure and Security Agency Director Jen Easterly. Sources familiar with the matter told CBS News that U.S. Secret Service and FBI agents combed through a residence associated with a person of interest on Friday and seized a trove of evidence, including computers and other electronic devices.
While charges have not yet been filed in connection with any of the swatting incidents, they are likely in the near future. The person of interest is accused of making scores of swatting calls over the winter holidays. Swatting is a type of cyber harassment where a fake emergency report is made to law enforcement to provoke a large police response.
Swatting incidents can have serious consequences, as seen in cases where individuals have died due to the mistaken response of law enforcement. In response to an increase in swatting incidents, the FBI launched a national database over the summer to track and prevent such activities.
