What is swatting? ‘Friends’ star Jennifer Anniston targeted by pranksters

Swatting is a dangerous prank that involves making false emergency reports to law enforcement, often claiming a severe crime or crisis, to trigger a major police response at an unsuspecting victim’s home. In a recent incident, Jennifer Aniston, the renowned actress best known for her role as Rachel Green on Friends, became the latest target of this harmful hoax.

On September 20, 2024, Los Angeles police arrived at her Bel-Air mansion after an anonymous 911 call falsely claimed that a friend at her residence was in distress and threatening self-harm. The call did not disclose that the address belonged to Aniston, resulting in an unexpected police presence at her home, which was initially met with confusion by her security team. After verifying with Aniston herself, authorities confirmed the call was a false alarm and a case of swatting.

Swatting incidents like these are not new, and many other celebrities, including Justin Bieber, Rihanna, and Nicki Minaj, have been subjected to similar false emergency reports in recent years.

These pranks, though meant as jokes, can have dangerous consequences, not only putting the victims and responding officers at risk but also diverting law enforcement resources from real emergencies. In Aniston’s case, she has not publicly commented on the incident, but the false 911 call is being treated as an illegal act under swatting laws.