Swatting: Open source developer taken down by police on camera

This is not what René Raabe imagined Thursday afternoon: During a Twitch stream about Linux software development, the Berliner was rudely interrupted by ringing bells, knocking and loud shouts of “Police!” Several emergency vehicles arrived at the open source developer’s office after he announced by email the acts of violence against him and his family. Only: the announcement was fake and part of a “swatting” campaign.

Advertisement

The term swatting is derived from the acronym SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics), which is used in the United States for police units similar to the German Special Operations Command (SEK). Using fake emergency calls or messages, the criminals create the impression that the victim wants to kill himself or others in order to lure emergency services to the victim’s home. These also pose a particular threat and appear in large numbers and with heavy weapons.

This is also the case with Rebay: in an excerpt of his stream, which the developer uploaded to YouTube, several police officers with bulletproof vests and service weapons in hand can be seen securing the office space. Rebay himself was handcuffed, questioned in the hallway and then taken to his home address accompanied by police officers to prove the well-being of his family.

Berliner criticizes what he sees as inconsistent police action. Instead of blocking the entire street with emergency vehicles, law enforcement officers could have been called or stopped by with patrols, Rabe said in an interview with Heise Security. The police also did not adequately investigate the authenticity of the threatening email he allegedly wrote.

Constitutional Court overturns persistent cell phone tracking by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Hesse

The Berlin police confirmed the procedure in response to Heise’s request, but otherwise pointed to data protection and investigation strategy and did not provide any details. Despite technical obstacles such as phone numbers being hidden and server providers operating from abroad, efforts are being made to ensure that information is clarified as quickly as possible. According to police crime statistics, this happens in almost every second case of misuse of emergency calls: 58 percent of the 14,000 cases were resolved last year. This includes not only dangerous swatting, but also any prank emergency calls.

American incident on the way to Germany

Because: Swatting is a punishable offense in Germany. Although there is no separate criminal offense, misuse of emergency calls and interference with accident prevention and emergency assistance, as well as pretending to be a crime (Section 145d of the Criminal Code), can be considered under Section 145 of the Criminal Code, which carries a prison sentence of up to one year. Investigators recently took action against ten members of a gang of cybercriminals.

In the past, swatting attacks were often directed against online players or streamers from the gaming scene, including Germany. The fact that a software developer has now been affected is a new development.

Well-known American journalist Brian Krebs also has experience with swatting. In his experience, fake murder-suicide announcements are part of the swatter’s standard repertoire. In addition, the expert told Heise Security, criminals often do not contact the emergency number, which is monitored very closely and cannot be reached nationally. “You can’t call 911 from Denver and expect to get 911 at the victim’s home in Miami,” Krebs said. Just a few days ago, the journalist wrote in his blog A detailed article About the connection between organised cyberbullying and other digital criminals.

Note: In Germany you can find help and support for all kinds of problems, including questions about bullying and suicide telephonesellers.de and by telephone on 0800 1110 111. The number against misery (children and youth hotline) is 116 111. There are also free offers of help in Austria, including a children’s emergency number specifically for children on 0800 567 567 and advice on the wire on 147. . The same telephone number leads to Pro Juventute in Switzerland.

(CKU)