AG’s Office reveals USC swatting hoax caused by online teen crime group

RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)– Attorney General Alan Wilson says the recent swatting event at the University of South Carolina was caused by an online group called “Purgatory.”

The swatting incident at the University of South Carolina took place on August 24, the Sunday after classes started.

Callers reported an active shooter near the library, prompting a campus lockdown while students ran for cover and hid in nearby buildings.

Campus police were able to determine there was no active shooter and that the calls were a hoax.

“I’ve spoken to USC President Michael Amiridis, and he has my full support to do what is necessary to protect our students and keep our campuses safe,” said Attorney General Wilson. “I will continue to warn young people and parents about the dangers of these online criminal groups.”

Attorney General Alan Wilson says the active shooter hoax calls were linked to Purgatory by the Center for Internet Security and Institute for Strategic Dialogue, and a self-proclaimed leader of Purgatory told WIRED.com that his group was responsible.

Additionally, the AG’s Office says the groups direct, produce, and distribute child sexual abuse material (CSAM), often grooming and manipulating minors into producing the material or encouraging them to harm themselves through cutting themselves or creating and sharing violent or bloody videos or photos.

Leaders of these online trends also often encourage and execute attacks on others via swatting and bomb threats, according to the AG’s Office.

Back in March, AG Wilson warned parents about these teen crime groups, including “764”, which target and recruit teens 17 and younger.

Purgatory has been linked to 764, according to officials.

Some signs that your child may be at risk of participating in or becoming a victim of these gore groups are: 

• Teens and pre-teens aged 11-17 who experience mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, or are part of the LGBT community.
• Spend an unusual amount of time online in a private space such as a bedroom (these activities usually take place on a desktop, laptop, or gaming computer).
• Refer to “friends” by screen names only.
• Have any signs of cutting themselves (this can be done anywhere on the body). The cuts are used to make a “blood-sign,” which is the writing of a message in blood, usually written in the bathroom/shower, then photographed.
• The harming of pets and animals (most specifically cats).
• Receive gifts, money, food deliveries, etc., from online or unknown relationships.

Many victims do not realize that they are victims. If they refuse to provide content, subjects will often be threatened when they refuse to meet requests and/or recruit new victims.

If you think your child may be a victim of these crimes, you should immediately report it to local law enforcement or the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

More information on 764 and their activities can be found here: Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) | Violent Online Networks Target Vulnerable and Underage Populations Across the United States and Around the Globe