LoL bomb-threat accused says gamers never take chat seriously
SingTao · 2 SOURCES1 day ago5 MIN
Summary
A 31-year-old defendant, formerly a hospital patient care assistant and now working as a part-time fitness coach, is standing trial at Eastern Magistrates’ Courts after messages sent during a League of Legends game allegedly said a bomb would be planted at Admiralty MTR Station on the first day of the Lunar New Year. He denied the charge and testified that he typed the messages in anger after repeated taunts and insults from another player. The prosecution argued the three separate messages showed thought and intent to cause alarm, while the defendant said online gaming talk is often not taken literally. The magistrate adjourned the case to October 30 for judgment.
Key Points
- The defendant, Chung Chi-long (鍾智朗), 31, was described as a hospital patient care assistant at the time and now a part-time fitness coach; on.cc also said he reported himself unemployed.
- The case concerns messages allegedly sent on January 27, 2026, stating “I’m preparing to bomb the MTR on Lunar New Year’s Day”, “Admiralty Station”, and “Remember to watch the news”.
- Chung told the court another player, Wong Sze-shing (黃斯成), repeatedly mocked him in League of Legends by circling his character’s corpse and sending taunting icons and messages.
- He said the system later matched Wong with him twice as a teammate, and Wong insulted his “JG” role, which he said led other teammates to distrust and abuse him
- Prosecutors said the three messages were sent within about one minute, with gaps of 12 seconds and 31 seconds, suggesting deliberation; Chung denied that and called them emotional nonsense
Why It Matters
The case tests how Hong Kong courts assess threatening language made in online gaming spaces when a defendant says it was impulsive trash talk rather than a real plan. It also underlines how references to bombs and major transport hubs can trigger criminal proceedings even when made in a virtual setting.