WASHINGTON (CHATNEWSTV) — A Romanian citizen pleaded guilty Monday to orchestrating a sprawling online campaign of bomb threats and hoax emergency calls that targeted dozens of U.S. public officials — including Members of Congress, religious institutions, and even a former president — in what authorities described as a dangerous and deliberate swatting conspiracy.
Thomasz Szabo, 26, who used the aliases “Plank,” “Jonah,” and “Cypher,” admitted in federal court to leading an online network responsible for more than 75 swatting incidents across the United States, beginning in 2020. The hoaxes triggered emergency responses to homes, synagogues, courthouses, and government buildings.
“This defendant led a dangerous swatting criminal conspiracy, deliberately threatening dozens of government officials with violent hoaxes and targeting our nation’s security infrastructure from behind a screen overseas,” said U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This case reflects our continued focus on protecting the American people and working with international partners to stop these threats at their source.”
Swatting involves falsely reporting an ongoing violent threat — such as a hostage situation or bomb threat — to provoke an armed police response at a specific address. Federal officials said the attacks placed both first responders and victims at serious risk.
“Swatting endangers lives and will not be tolerated by the FBI,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “We are fully committed to working with our partners to bring to justice those criminals hiding behind keyboards and threatening violence.”
According to prosecutors, Szabo was extradited from Romania in late 2024 and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of threats involving explosives. He faces up to 15 years in prison when sentenced on October 23.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro of the District of Columbia said the scheme not only put officials in danger but also drained law enforcement resources.
“Swatting attacks drain precious resources and can result in major injury or even death,” Pirro said. “Anyone who hijacks police resources for senseless crimes like these will have to answer for their actions.”
Court documents detail how Szabo’s network issued threats to synagogues in New York, government offices, media organizations, and private homes. In one message from December 2023, a subordinate bragged to Szabo, “I did 25+ swattings today,” and claimed to have caused over “$500,000+ in taxpayers [money] wasted in just two days.”
Investigators credited assistance from Romanian authorities and multiple U.S. agencies, including the Secret Service and FBI field offices, for helping secure Szabo’s arrest and extradition.
Federal officials said the case represents one of the largest known swatting conspiracies targeting U.S. institutions and underscores the international nature of digital threats in the modern era.
