Dutch Teen Arrested For Threat Against American Airlines [UPDATE 2]

On April 13, 2014 a twitter user using the username @QueenDemetriax_threatened American Airlines by saying that she will be “doing something bad on June 1st.” The user also said that she was a member of AL-Qaeda and lived in Afghanistan.

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The twitter user also said she was 14 years old and planned on doing something bad. American Airlines responded to the user by saying that they reported her to security (I suppose DHS/TSA/CBP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Her tweet is now permanently documented and depending on where she *really* lives she may be investigated and prosecuted for making threats against an airline. This could severely affect her college career or future career prospect.

Despite the fact that “Sarah/Ibrahim” is 14 years old, we live in a post-9/11 society where jokes of this nature are unwelcoming and call for immediate attention. I urge all parents to warn their kids about posting such threats on the internet and elsewhere.

Hopefully this threat is really just a joke, as the twitter user later stated, and does not call for concern.


UPDATE 1:

A 14-year-old Dutch girl who allegedly tweeted a terrorist threat to American Airlines has been arrested. Dutch police say they have arrested a 14-year-old girl at her home in Rotterdam, Netherlands over the tweeted message. American reported the tweet to the FBI six minutes after seeing it. Dutch police have not yet charged the teenager but she remains under custody pending an investigation.

My guess is that the teenager will probably have a hard time if she ever wishes to visit the United States in the future due her unwarranted threats. The Dutch police promised to keep the public updated when more information is available for public consumption.


 

Update 2:

It looks like a copycat prank has been pulled by another twitter user. Another user, using a derogatory username, threatened Southwest Airlines by saying that “there will be an explosion taking place soon.” Southwest responded quickly by informing the user that their information had been shared with the appropriate authorities. My guess is that they will soon be arrested as well.

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Parents need to have a talk with their children regarding what they can and cannot post on social media. These sorts of threats are serious and can have long-term affects once they are legal adults. Not to mention that going to jail and getting investigated by the FBI is bad enough.

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