Two Men Convicted for Over 100 Hoax Emergency Calls in UK

Two men have been convicted of intentionally causing a public nuisance through hoax emergency calls. Zaynul Shaffi, 44, and Shahid Khan, 31, made 122 such calls over 78 days in 2024 and 2025. The calls used different phones and disguised voices to avoid detection.

The hoax reports included false claims of shootings, murders, and a baby left on railway tracks. These incidents prompted responses from firearms units, drones, and a police helicopter. In one case, nearly 20 police vehicles and more than 30 officers were deployed following a report of a baby on train tracks.

Sentencing Shaffi, from Barrows Road in Birmingham, was jailed for three years at Birmingham Crown Court.

Khan, from Whichford Grove, was deemed unfit to appear in court and will be sentenced at a later date. West Midlands Police reported that the calls diverted resources from genuine emergencies. Messages exchanged between the men showed they discussed the emergency responses and requested video footage of a helicopter.

One message noted the deployment of the helicopter, with a request to record it. Police used digital techniques to link the calls and identify the individuals responsible.

The hoax calls cost emergency services an estimated £100,000.

Officials stated that such calls can delay responses to real emergencies. The convictions highlight the resources required to investigate and respond to false reports. The case involved calls across various locations, affecting multiple emergency response teams.

Future sentencing for Khan will determine additional penalties. Authorities continue to monitor for similar incidents to prevent resource diversion.