Facebook cybersecurity exec victim of swatting call

Prankster claimed exec had shot his wife, tied up his kids, and planted pipe bombs around the house.

Police Car


A SWAT squad arrived in force at the exec's home, a two-bedroom house in Palo Alto, ordered him to step out, and briefly arrested the man as they searched the house.


In a press release published the next day, Palo Alto police said they intervened in force after a man called 911, gave the exec's name and correct address.



According to the Palo Alto Daily Post, who first reported the swatting, the exec was unharmed, yet scared. The executive's name and job title have not been made public.

"We thank the city of Palo Alto for their swift and thoughtful response. They quickly identified this as a prank, and we are glad that our colleague and his family are safe," a Facebook spokesperson told ZDNet via email today.

"The suspect could face multiple criminal charges, as well as face potential civil liability as a cost recovery measure for the law enforcement response," said a Palo Alto Police spokesperson in regards to the incident.

"The law enforcement response to this incident took officers away from their other important duties and calls. Anyone found responsible for placing a hoax call like this will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Palo Alto police also added.

The practice of swatting has been rampant in the US for the past decade. It consists of people making prank calls to police, alerting officers of emergencies at friends or rivals' homes. Perpetrators try to obtain an in-force response from authorities, like sending a SWAT squad to the victim's house.



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