Robocaller fined $ 10 million by FCC

A robocaller was fined $ 9.9 million for using caller ID theft to intentionally cause harm, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission said Thursday. The fraudulent caller made thousands of automated calls using pre-recorded racist, xenophobic and threatening messages, the FCC said.

The appeals were made to a victim’s family, a local journalist, political candidates – and even as an apparent attempt to sway a jury hearing a domestic terrorism case, the agency said. Caller ID spoofing made the calls appear to be from local numbers.

“Not only were the calls illegal, but the caller took them to new levels of severity,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “With today’s fine, we clearly reaffirm our commitment to aggressively prosecute those who unlawfully bombard the American people.”

The caller harassed people in Iowa, Idaho, Virginia, Florida and Georgia, the FCC said. He must pay the fine within 30 days, otherwise the case will be referred to the Justice Department, the agency said.