FBI would like a word with whoever's filing false reports

[Windy]

Picked this up off of Storm Track and WXChase via WXTalk -- apparently, someone is abusing the eSpotter web interface and is filing false storm reports. Whoever it is must know something about storms (or is following these forums closely), as their reports include severe events on storms that could plausibly be producing the types of events they're reporting -- i.e., they're filing tornado damage/injury reports on storms that exhibit rotation on radar. Apparently, this has motived the NWS to activate the EAS erroneously on at least one occasion, causing people to take cover unneccesarily.

> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> NOUS73 KCRH 162229
> ADMCRH
>
> TO: ALL CR WFO/S AND RFC/S
> FROM: CRH (FROM TOM SCHWEIN...ISSUED BY WFO EAX)
> SUBJECT: FALSE SEVERE WX REPORTS
> TIME/DATE: 525 PM CDT WED MAY 16 2007
>
> **** PLEASE SHARE WITH THE ENTIRE STAFF ****
>
> PLEASE BE AWARE THAT INTENTIONALLY FALSE REPORTS OF SEVERE WEATHER
> ARE ONCE AGAIN BEING RECEIVED THIS AFTERNOON (WED 5/16) AT THE LA
> CROSSE WFO. THE IP ADDRESS OF THIS SENDER IS 70.131.218.15.

I did a bit of sleuthing on the IP, and it seems that this report came from a DSL line in the vicinity of Chicago, IL. It sounds like they're all coming from the same place from the articles below. At any rate, the FBI are involved now:

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.asp ... rmat=print

http://ciproud.com/content/fulltext/?si ... 0&cid=2755

[CajunMama]

I can't believe anyone would do anything like that. They'll catch whoever did it.

[kevin]

Could it be someone with a mental illness who just assumes that since these storms look damaging, they must be producing the things in the report? Why would anyone of sound mind go through all the trouble? =(

[jasons2k]

All I can say is WOW - I thought I had seen it all until this...

[artist]

reminds me of the guy that tried to come on here all the time (spotted quickly)and made his own hurricane reports.

[JonathanBelles]

Why would you want to do this?

[wjs3]

Saw this in the Chicago Tribune this AM:

Chicago Trib Article

[Ptarmigan]

I wonder how often this happens.

[x-y-no]

reminds me of the guy that tried to come on here all the time (spotted quickly)and made his own hurricane reports.

Ah, yes. The Great One.

[Beam]

Could it be someone with a mental illness who just assumes that since these storms look damaging, they must be producing the things in the report? Why would anyone of sound mind go through all the trouble? =(

I seriously doubt that an individual with such an illness would also possess the capacity to monitor storm attributes and falsify storm reports in a manner that's sufficiently convincing to warrant activating the EAS. I believe this is a very extreme case of "-removed-", where the person involved is trying to make the storm out as being as bad as they wish it to be, when it's actually far less severe. In the process, this individual is creating fear when there is no need, and wasting tax dollars with unnecessary EAS activations.

I believe the person should be tracked down, be given a fine of several thousand dollars as well as some community service, and barred from filing any further storm reports. I think jail time or a prison sentence is unnecessary for something like this, but it is still very serious.

[O Town]

Wow, unbelievable. If he isn't mentally ill and doing this someone needs to wring his neck. Errrrr.

[TexasStooge]

reminds me of the guy that tried to come on here all the time (spotted quickly)and made his own hurricane reports.

Ah, yes. The Great One.

The "Infamous" Great One?

[MississippiHurricane]

How low and bored can someone get? GEEZ! I will be more than happy to wring his neck lol

[Category 5]

I find it quite pathetic that somebody has THAT much time on their hands where they can find nothing better to do then file false storm reports.

I hope he goes to jail for it.

[TampaSteve]

I can't believe anyone would do anything like that. They'll catch whoever did it.

Not necessarily. Anyone with a wireless laptop can drive around any suburban neighborhood and have access to literally hundreds of unsecured wireless routers connected to cable and DSL internet services in peoples' homes. They can jump on the unsuspecting person's home network for a few minutes, file the false report, then turn off their laptop and disappear into the ether. Unless the person uses the same locations over and over again, it is almost impossible for them to get caught unless they brag about it to someone. Sad but true.