Cardi B and Offset found themselves ensnared in the alarming phenomenon of ‘swatting,’ a criminal act involving deceptive calls to emergency services that lead to law enforcement interventions. The rising trend of swatting often involves heinous and extreme false reports, ranging from terroristic acts to severe mental health concerns.
In an August 2023 incident, captured on body cam footage obtained by TMZ, a SWAT team was dispatched to investigate a reported shooting at Cardi B and Offset’s home in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Offset’s uncle, Derrick Cephus, greeted the police on the driveway, informing them of a false claim that “Cardi got shot.” Offset, bewildered and in Los Angeles at the time, dismissed the call as a fake fan attempt.
The video depicts Offset, Cephus, and the police discussing the swatting hoax. Offset argued that the police needed a warrant to be on his property, but the SWAT team asserted their right to respond due to the nature of the allegations.
Cardi B and Offset join a growing list of celebrities affected by swatting pranks. Nicki Minaj’s home was surrounded by armed police twice, leading her to take legal action against the alleged hoax caller, Stephanie Bell.
Swatting has also become prevalent in the gaming community, with popular streamers like Adin Ross and iShowSpeed falling victim to multiple incidents. Other streamers, such as Alliestrasza and Clara ‘Keffals’ Sorrenti, have faced similar distressing incidents, including handcuffing and raids during live broadcasts.
The disturbing trend extends beyond celebrities, as evidenced by a man sentenced for ordering a SWAT raid on Ubisoft’s Montreal office, threatening to blow up the building if paid a ransom.
In the midst of these unsettling incidents, Cardi B publicly announced her separation from Offset, only to create confusion when seen hosting a New Year’s Eve event with him. Addressing the situation on an X/Twitter Spaces live broadcast, Cardi emphasized the need for the couple to “work on [their] shit.” The swatting incident adds another layer of concern to the challenges the estranged couple faces in the public eye.
