Russell Brand -- SWATTED

The swatting epidemic continues ... this time, the victim is Russell Brand, TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... cops raced to Brand's L.A. home after receiving a call from someone reporting two men with guns approaching the home.

We're told the caller told police one of the men was black, one white -- and they were each sporting body armor.

When cops arrived to the scene, no one was there -- Russell had left the home 30 minutes prior to the call.

After a thorough inspection of the property, cops eventually determined the whole thing was a prank -- another "swatting" incident ... just like Bieber, Ashton Kutcher, Diddy, the Kardashians, etc.