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International Business Times
International Business Times
World
Anuj CHOPRA

US 'Swatting' Pranks Stoke Alarm In Election Year

Growing "swatting" incidents in the United States have sparked concern in a major election year. (Credit: AFP)

Startled by nighttime pounding on his door, American political strategist Rick Wilson walked out in his underwear to find policemen with guns drawn. They were responding to yet another hoax, increasingly seen as a tool of intimidation in a crucial election year.

In recent months, election workers, judges, and politicians -- on both sides of the aisle -- have been "swatted," a potentially deadly prank when a caller triggers a large law enforcement response after reporting a false violent crime.

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