Philadelphia Resident Admits to High-Stakes International Hoax Incident

SWAT officer reaching out to a door handle

A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty to swatting a fellow fantasy football player, who was falsely accused of planning a mass shooting and bomb threats.

At a Glance

Matthew Gabriel, 25, pleaded guilty to communicating threats across state and international lines.
Gabriel falsely accused a fellow fantasy football player of planning violent attacks.
The accusations led to international investigations in the US and Norway.
He faces a potential five-year federal prison sentence and a $250,000 fine.
Gabriel admitted to the FBI that he submitted the false tips.

Philadelphia Man’s Guilty Plea in International Swatting Incident

Matthew Gabriel, aged 25 from Philadelphia, has pleaded guilty to two counts of interstate and foreign communication of threats. Gabriel’s actions stemmed from a dispute with a fellow member of his fantasy football league, escalating to the point where he made false reports to law enforcement in the United States and Norway, alleging his rival was planning a mass shooting and bomb threats.

Gabriel falsely accused the fantasy football league member, who was studying in Norway, of planning a mass shooting in Oslo in August 2023. According to reports from multiple sources, Gabriel submitted an anonymous tip to the Norwegian Police Security Service, leading to a significant diversion of resources as authorities investigated the fabricated threat.

How a fantasy football league feud escalated into an international incident that ended with a Philly man convicted of felonies https://t.co/muKHrQR2DE

— The Philadelphia Inquirer (@PhillyInquirer) September 18, 2024

Impact of False Threats on Law Enforcement

The false tips led the authorities in both Norway and the United States to spend hundreds of hours across five days investigating the hoax. Prosecutors highlighted the considerable disruption caused by Gabriel’s actions, with U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Romero pointing out the diversion of substantial law enforcement resources away from actual incidents and investigations. She reaffirmed that hoax threats are a serious crime and warned the public against engaging in such activities.

“While already being prosecuted for one hoax threat spurred by, of all things, his fantasy football league, Matthew Gabriel inexplicably decided to send another,” U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Romero told NBC News. “His actions were extremely disruptive and consumed significant law enforcement resources on two continents, diverting them from actual incidents and investigations.”

According to prosecutors, Gabriel sent an email to the University of Iowa, falsely claiming that the same fantasy football group member planned to bomb the school. These actions resulted in an additional swatting incident and further legal ramifications.

A Philadelphia man's online beef has resulted in an international investigation and federal charges after he falsely accused a fellow player of intending to carry out violent attacks, prosecutors say. https://t.co/w1Js3XNMPU

— Action News on 6abc (@6abc) September 19, 2024

Admittance of Guilt and Possible Sentencing

Gabriel admitted to the FBI in November 2023 that he had submitted the false tips. As part of a plea deal, Gabriel faces up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine but may receive a recommendation of 15 months of house arrest.

“While already being prosecuted for one hoax threat spurred by, of all things, his fantasy football league, Matthew Gabriel inexplicably decided to send another,” said Romero in a statement on this case. “His actions were extremely disruptive and consumed significant law enforcement resources on two continents, diverting them from actual incidents and investigations. Hoax threats aren’t a joke or protected speech, they’re a crime. My advice to keyboard warriors who’d like to avoid federal charges: always think of the potential consequences before you hit ‘post’ or ‘send.’”

Gabriel was released on a $25,000 bond and is scheduled to be sentenced in January 2025. His actions have underscored the serious implications and potential penalties of making false threats, serving as a cautionary tale for others considering similar behavior.