Man Confesses To Making False Accusations After Fantasy Football Dispute

A Philadelphia man’s fantasy football dispute spirals into international terror threats, leading to a guilty plea and up to five years behind bars.

At a Glance

Matthew Gabriel, 25, pleaded guilty to making false accusations and threats after a fantasy football disagreement.
Gabriel falsely accused a league member of planning mass shootings in Norway and made a false bomb threat at the University of Iowa.
The hoax threats led to extensive investigations by U.S. and Norwegian authorities.
Gabriel faces up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines for his actions.

Fantasy Football Feud Turns into International Incident

In a bizarre turn of events, a fantasy football league dispute has resulted in federal charges and an international investigation. Matthew Gabriel, a 25-year-old Philadelphia resident, has pleaded guilty to two counts of interstate and foreign communication of a threat to injure, stemming from false accusations he made against a fellow fantasy football league member.

The incident began on August 3, 2023, when Gabriel submitted an anonymous online tip to the Norwegian Police Security Service. In this tip, he falsely claimed that a member of his fantasy football group, who was studying abroad in Norway, was planning a mass shooting with multiple accomplices.

Detailed False Accusations

Gabriel’s fabricated tip was alarmingly specific, causing immediate concern among law enforcement agencies. According to prosecutors, the false report stated:

“A shooting planned with multiple people on his side involved,” and, “They plan to take as many as they can at a concert and then head to a department store.”

The level of detail in the false accusation prompted extensive investigations by both U.S. and Norwegian authorities, consuming hundreds of hours of law enforcement resources. Gabriel even urged authorities to be cautious, falsely claiming that the accused individual would be armed.

Additional Threats and Consequences

Despite already being under investigation for the initial false threat, Gabriel decided to make another hoax threat on March 22, 2024. This time, he sent a false bomb threat email to the University of Iowa, falsely accusing the same fantasy football league member he had previously accused.

U.S. States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero said, “His actions were extremely disruptive and consumed significant law enforcement resources on two continents, diverting them from actual incidents and investigations. Hoax threats aren’t a joke or protected speech, they’re a crime. My advice to keyboard warriors who’d like to avoid federal charges: always think of the potential consequences before you hit ‘post’ or ‘send.'”

Gabriel’s actions have resulted in serious legal consequences. He now faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. He has been released on a $25,000 bond and is scheduled for sentencing in January 2025.

The case highlights the seriousness with which law enforcement agencies treat potential threats, even when they turn out to be hoaxes. Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia, emphasized:

“You do not get to express emotions through violence or threats of violence,” said Jacobs. “We thank our international partners for their assistance in bringing together this case. The FBI will continue to work alongside partners at all levels to protect our community.”