CAMDEN, NJ (LOOTPRESS) — A dramatic late-night emergency call that triggered a multi-agency law enforcement response is now being described by federal prosecutors as a staged hoax orchestrated by a New Jersey woman and her accomplice.
Natalie Greene, 26, of Ocean City, appeared in federal court on Nov. 19, 2025, after being charged with conspiracy and making false statements to federal investigators. She was released on a $200,000 unsecured bond.
According to court documents, the alleged scheme unfolded on July 23, when Greene’s co-conspirator dialed 911 claiming that the pair had been violently attacked by three men while walking through a nature preserve in Egg Harbor Township. The caller reported that the attackers targeted Greene specifically because of her job with a federal official.
Responding officers found Greene bound with black zip ties, her shirt pulled over her head, and her body marked with slurs and messages referencing her employer. She appeared distressed and injured, with cuts across her face, neck, chest, and shoulder. Greene insisted one of the alleged attackers had brandished a gun and threatened to shoot her.
Greene later repeated her account to investigators, including an FBI agent — but prosecutors say the chilling story was manufactured.
According to the investigation, Greene had hired a body modification and scarification artist to deliberately carve the lacerations onto her body following a pattern she had created. Matching zip ties were later recovered from her car, and records show her co-conspirator’s cellphone was used to search “zip ties near me” two days before the alleged assault.
Both the conspiracy charge and the false statements charge carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba credited the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, Egg Harbor Township Police, New Jersey State Police, and U.S. Capitol Police for their work on the case. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick C. Askin and Sara A. Aliabadi, along with DOJ National Security Division attorney James Donnelly.
Authorities emphasized that the charges are only allegations at this stage, and Greene is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
