A 15-year-old who identifies as a member of the online group "Purgatory" was federally charged over a series of swatting calls that hit Pennsylvania colleges in August 2025. Authorities say the youth had no ties to the targeted institutions. The FBI reports swatting has risen since a 2023 centralized reporting center began collecting data, and the U.S. Department of Education has issued guidance to help schools spot hoax emergency calls.
15-Year-Old Federally Charged After August 2025 Swatting Spree Targeting Pennsylvania Colleges
A 15-year-old who says they are a member of an online collective called "Purgatory" was federally charged in connection with a series of swatting calls that targeted Pennsylvania colleges and other institutions in August 2025, the Justice Department announced.
Officials said the teen is not affiliated with any of the institutions that were targeted. Federal prosecutors allege the calls were part of a coordinated effort to place false emergency reports that would prompt law-enforcement responses, often including tactical units.
What Is Swatting?
Swatting involves making a deliberately false report—such as a bomb threat, active shooter, or hostage situation—with the intent of provoking an armed police response to a specific address. The tactic traces its roots to earlier hoaxes, including fake bomb threats, and gained prominence through conflicts in online gaming communities.
How the Threat Has Evolved
While some early incidents originated from gaming disputes, investigators say swatting has increasingly been coordinated by nihilistic or malicious online groups that share tactics and tips for evading detection on forums and encrypted platforms.
Federal Response And Guidance
The FBI has reported a rise in swatting incidents. Since a centralized reporting center was established in 2023 to collect data on these cases, hundreds of law-enforcement agencies have voluntarily submitted records documenting thousands of incidents, the bureau said.
Because swatting is widespread and poses serious public-safety risks, the U.S. Department of Education has issued guidance to help schools and institutions recognize hoax calls. Indicators can include a caller’s inability to answer follow-up questions about their phone number or location, inconsistent details, or mispronouncing names and places.
NewsNation local affiliate WHTM and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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