Romanian Hacker TARGETED U.S. Elite!
Thomasz Szabo’s digital crusade of terror against U.S. officials exposed the thin line between cyber-mischief and national threat.
At a Glance
Thomasz Szabo pleaded guilty to a multi-state swatting campaign.
Nearly 100 government figures, including an ex-president, were targeted.
Co-conspirator Nemanja Radovanovic remains under investigation.
Szabo used aliases and hoax threats to trigger law enforcement action.
He will be sentenced in Washington, D.C. this October.
The Cyber Siege Begins
In December 2020, a new breed of cyber assault emerged—swatting hoaxes engineered with precision by a duo operating continents away. Thomasz Szabo, a 26-year-old Romanian, alongside Serbian national Nemanja Radovanovic, launched a campaign that would shatter the personal and professional lives of nearly 100 prominent Americans. These attacks, according to U.S. prosecutors, targeted high-value individuals, from members of Congress to state executives and a former U.S. president.
Under pseudonyms like “Plank” and “Cypher,” Szabo crafted false 911 calls and bomb threats to law enforcement, causing panic, lockdowns, and the mobilization of SWAT teams. The intent: to instill fear and chaos, all while testing the vulnerabilities of America’s emergency response systems.
Watch a report: Romanian man pleads guilty in U.S. swatting conspiracy.
International Manhunt Ends in Guilty Plea
Szabo’s attempt to elude capture failed when international agencies coordinated an extradition in November, delivering him to U.S. soil. The Department of Justice swiftly moved forward, with Szabo pleading guilty to conspiracy and issuing bomb threats. The breadth of his operation stunned even seasoned investigators.
Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the danger, stating that Szabo “led a dangerous swatting criminal conspiracy… targeting our nation’s security infrastructure from behind a screen overseas.” Officials noted the scheme’s scope and the deliberate choice of targets—lawmakers and federal officers whose decisions impact millions.
While Radovanovic has yet to face trial, his partner’s confession signals a breakthrough in cross-border cybercrime enforcement. The FBI’s message, echoed by Director Kash Patel, was resolute: such actions “will not be tolerated.”
Legal Reckoning and National Fallout
After months of international cooperation, Thomasz Szabo was extradited to the United States and entered a guilty plea in federal court. The charges—conspiracy and making hoax threats—stemmed from a campaign of swatting incidents that endangered nearly 100 public officials and their families.
The Department of Justice described the operation as one of the most expansive cyber-hoax conspiracies ever prosecuted. According to the New York Post, Szabo’s use of multiple aliases and encrypted communications allowed him to evade capture for nearly three years.
Attorney General Pam Bondi called the case a turning point in digital enforcement, saying the perpetrators “targeted our nation’s security infrastructure from behind a screen overseas.” The case highlights growing cooperation between U.S. law enforcement and foreign cybercrime units.
FBI Director Kash Patel reaffirmed that violent digital hoaxes are treated with the same seriousness as physical threats. He noted that law enforcement resources were repeatedly diverted, increasing risk to civilians and first responders alike.
With Szabo’s sentencing scheduled for October in Washington, D.C., prosecutors are expected to argue for a lengthy prison term. Meanwhile, efforts continue to apprehend his Serbian co-conspirator, who remains outside U.S. jurisdiction.
This case underscores the evolving nature of digital threats and the importance of maintaining global partnerships to confront them.
Watch a report: FBI tracks cyber hoax suspect across borders.