Arabic
Actor Ned Luke, best known for his portrayal of Michael in GTA 5, has won an important legal victory after a person who harassed him through swatting was convicted by the US Department of Justice (DOJ).
Swatting is one of the most serious forms of digital harassment in which perpetrators file false police reports in order to send special forces to the victims’ homes, posing a real threat to their lives. The phenomenon has spread significantly in the world of streaming and content creation, and Luke has been among the most affected.
Luke has been swatting more than once during his GTA 5 livestreams, including a serious incident on Thanksgiving Day 2023, where false reports prompted the intervention of law enforcement, causing him and those around him widespread anxiety.
Luke recently posted a photo of an official document on his Instagram account confirming the conviction of one of those involved and the date of the sentencing hearing next month. Luke accompanied the photo with a firm comment suggesting his legal victory after a long battle, and although he did not explicitly mention that the case is related to the Swatting incidents, his interaction with followers’ comments indirectly confirmed this.
Interestingly, Locke also indicated that there are other names that have been identified and handed over to the competent authorities, which indicates that the case is still open and that the investigations are ongoing, and despite the length of the proceedings, this is typical in federal cases that may extend for a year or more before reaching final judgments.
In light of the impunity of many of those involved in such crimes, this conviction is an important step and a clear message that swatting practices no longer go without legal consequences, especially when they target public figures and content creators and pose a direct threat to lives.
