FBI Arrests Fortnite Player After Epic Reports Voice Chat Threats

Ever said something you regret in a game's voice chat? Well, one Fortnite player took things way too far, and now he's facing federal charges.

Edward Frith, a 29-year-old from Alabama who went by the username "WagesOfNinja," was arrested last week after Epic Games reported his threatening voice chat messages to the FBI. According to an affidavit reported by Aftermath, Frith said he was "letting all his rage out" because he wanted to "literally murder somebody" and that he thinks about killing "every day." He also chillingly warned, "Let's see if the FBI is going to show up at my door because I'll shoot them motherf****rs too." Well, the FBI did show up.

Epic made a "voluntary emergency disclosure" to the FBI's National Threat Operations Section (NTOS) Exigent Threat Research and Analysis Crisis Team (EXTRACT), providing an audio recording and transcript of the threats. Frith was indicted on September 23 for violating Interstate Threatening Communications. He pleaded not guilty on September 24 and was remanded into custody awaiting trial.

This isn't the first time Epic has taken voice chat seriously. In November 2023, the company introduced a voice reporting system that lets players clip audio and anonymously report violations. "The only way Epic ever receives a copy of the audio clip is if voice reporting is on and a participant affirmatively reports the voice chat using the in-game voice reporting feature," Epic explained at the time. Once reported, the last five minutes of communications are captured and sent to Epic's moderation team. Depending on the severity, players can face bans—or, as in this case, a visit from the feds.

Fortnite also allows reporting text chat, which is stored for 30 days. The developer uses autonomous systems to detect harmful language, including "self-harm, child endangerment, and threats of real-world violence." So if you're thinking of venting your frustrations in-game, remember: someone might be listening, and it could have real-world consequences.

This case highlights how seriously game companies and law enforcement take online threats. It also shows that Epic's reporting tools are actively being used—and that they can lead to arrests. So next time you're in a heated match, keep it clean. The last thing you want is the FBI knocking on your door.

What do you think about Epic's role in this arrest? Will you be more careful with your voice chat now? Let us know in the comments!