Six Nations Police would like to provide the community with information about Emergency Fraud Calls (swatting) and how it can be linked to online extortion of youth.
Swatting is the act of placing fraudulent 9-1-1 calls to emergency services. The caller will make claims that induce a large police presence and other emergency services to attend. After police and emergency services attend, it is determined that the information provided was false and no actual emergency exists.
In some cases, swatting is used as a form of extortion through social media platforms that are popular with children and teenagers. Perpetrators will use swatting as a scare tactic for youth to comply with demands.
On September 1, 2025, the Six Nations Police responded to a report of an attempted suicide. Due to the exigent circumstances, police entered the home to prevent self harm. Upon entry, police discovered that the caller who reported the emergency, was impersonating the youth located at the residence, who was not in a crisis.
Emergency Call Fraud has serious consequences. Once a false emergency call is placed to 9-1-1, resources that respond to a false emergency are no longer available to respond to an actual emergency. This is especially important in the Six Nations community, as resources are already limited.
Placing a false call to report an emergency can lead to Criminal Code charges such as Public Mischief.
