A Telegram user who claimed to have left bombs in places like high schools by using a digitally synthesised voice has been linked to a series of swatting calls that have occurred over several months across the United States.
According to Vice, the user going by the alias "Torswats" on the messaging app Telegram provides a paid service to make swatting calls. Swatting is the act of lying to law authorities about a bomb threat or falsely accusing another person in a specific location of committing a crime or storing illegal materials.
Customers may purchase "extreme swattings" for $50, which typically involve cops handcuffing a suspect and searching their home, and for $75, Torswats can reportedly lock down a school. In accordance with a story from Vice, Torswats would take bitcoin as payment, give loyal clients a discount, and will haggle over prices for well-known targets.
“Hello, I just committed a crime and I want to confess. I placed explosives in a local school,” says the voice on a tape of a Torswats call with law police.
Torswats' voice is artificial intelligence generated digitally, however, it's not immediately clear whether this is the same technology that has made some voice performers obsolete by so expertly simulating human vocalisations. Vice found two recordings out of 35 that didn't employ a digital voice. Torswats threatened to detonate a bomb at Hempstead High School in Dubuque, Iowa, according to a phone call tape obtained by Vice. Local media reported on the threat.
Torswats allegedly also targeted a CBD store in Florida, a business in Maryland, and homes in Virginia, Massachusetts, Texas, and California.
Steve Bernd, FBI Seattle's public affairs officer, said, "The FBI takes swatting extremely seriously because it puts innocent people at harm." Since at least ten years ago, police have been discussing the "swatting" issue, and more recent headlines have been made about other incidents.
Indictments for extortion and threats were issued against a Seattle man just last month after more than 20 swat calls to the police were made by him. It is said that the man would broadcast these calls live to a certain Discord group.