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“Bitcoin” Bomb Threats: Full Story & Must-See Details

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At least 12 businesses in Chicago and other cities across the United States are experiencing bomb threats that are demanding $20,000 in bitcoin to a specific BTC wallet or else they will ignite the bombs. Currently, the threats are being made towards news outlets, government buildings, banks, libraries, schools, and other businesses. The threats were reported across the west to east coast and forced temporary evacuations of buildings.


What Is Happening?

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According to a tweet, a company received an email regarding a bomb threat. Whether this is the same perpetrator that made the other bomb threats is still unknown.

The letter states,

Hello, There is an explosive device (Tetryl) in the building where your company is conducted. My recruited person constructed the bomb according to my guide. It is small and it is hidden very carefully, it is not able to destroy the structure of the building, but if it detonates there will be many wounded people. My recruited person is watching the situation around the building. If any unusual behaviors, panic or policeman is noticed he will power the device. I want to propose you a bargain. You pay me $20,000 in Bitcoin and explosive will not detonate, but don’t try to fool me- I guarantee you that I have to withdraw my man only after 3 confirmations in the blockchain.

It is my BTC address – 1LeReNiUgHNXvvR8Tpgqg1B5NZQOkEuXDY. You must pay me by the end of the working day. If you are late with the payment explosive will detonate. Nothing personal, if you don’t send me the money and the bomb detonate, next time other commercial enterprises will transfer me a lot more, because it is not a one time action. For my safety, I will no longer visit this email account. I monitor my bitcoin address every 30 min and after receiving the bitcoins I will give the command to my person to get away.

If an explosion occurred and the authorities notice this letter: We aren’t the terrorist organization and don’t assume any liability for explosion in other buildings.

So I actually just got a bomb threat in my work email today ordering me to send the person $20,000 via bitcoin or they will blow up my place of work…. 2018 is wild pic.twitter.com/sn0vVLwe6v

— Ryanocerous Grant (@TheeRyanGrant) December 13, 2018

Officials took immediate action to evacuate and help people who were affected. However, despite them believing the emails to be spam and not credible threats, they still followed protocols out of caution.

In Iowa, several bomb threats were made, but Sgt. Paul Parizek says the e-mail appears to be a hoax as there are similar threats coming in nationwide, according to 13 WHO TV.

Grand Rapids Police force believe so as well.

SCAM ALERT: There is a rampant hoax email being distributed across the country of a bomb threat making demands for money. Emails began locally around 1 pm. We do NOT believe these emails have any validity and direct you to delete email. Do NOT send money. More info coming soon

— Grand Rapids Police (@GrandRapidsPD) December 13, 2018

According to Reuters, they noted a similar case that happened last year. “The FBI has launched a query into the reported bomb threats, noting that a similar wave of threats to schools and other public buildings occurred about a year or more ago, but the authenticity of the latest batch was not immediately confirmed.” However, it was noted that there were some companies who actually paid the ransom demands according to the Verge, but whether it will happen again for this incident is unsure. 

They also stated that the explosive also varied, as bombs such as tetryl, trinitrotoluene, and hexigen were named in various emails. Countries as far as Canada and the UK have also stated that similar bomb threats were received, prompting a train station shut down in Toronto.

When this happened, the FBI issued a statement to the public that they were aware of the bomb threats and is partnering up with local law enforcement to arrest the perpetrator. They also encouraged the public to “remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities which could represent a threat to public safety.”

 

 


Where Were These Threats Being Made?

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Here are some of the places where they reported bomb threats.

  1. Lincoln County Middle School
  2. Dixie State University
  3. Downtown Detroit
  4. Bronx High School of Science
  5. WNDU Studios
  6. Facebook building in Menlo Park
  7. Raleigh, North Carolina.
  8. Columbine High School
  9. Four bomb threats at non-residential locations in Franklin
  10. Jewish Community Center at San Francisco
  11. Wiley Post Airport
  12. Atlanta
  13. New York
  14. Massachusetts
  15. Oklahoma
  16. Kentucky
  17. Louisiana
  18. Florida
  19. Iowa
  20. Michigan
  21. Utah
  22. California
  23. Toronto
  24. UK

So far, none of the threats have been deemed as credible. There have been no injuries reported nor explosives that have been found.


Police Statements:

We're working a number of bomb threat calls in OKC. There have been similar threats called into several locations around the country. No credible threat found at this point. We encourage the public to continue to be vigilant and call with anything suspicious.

— Oklahoma City Police (@OKCPD) December 13, 2018

MSP Fusion Center tracking multiple bomb threats emailed to numerous businesses in the state. MSP Bomb Squad notified and local departments are responding in their communities. Similar threats have been received in other states. We will share more info when available.

— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) December 13, 2018

BakersfieldPD is aware of numerous bomb threat emails
that have been reported across the US. Locally, we have received 5 calls for service from people who recv'd similar emails. All threats have been unsubstantiated. Please call with any further info regarding these threats. https://t.co/SU0B4Hz8Eu

— Bakersfield Police (@bakersfieldpd) December 13, 2018

@CMPD investigated 16 reports of bomb threats between 1:37 pm and 3:53 pm today. No suspicious packages or devices were located. The threats were similar to others reported across the country #cmpd #seesomethingsaysomething #bethedifference

— CMPD News (@CMPD) December 13, 2018

Cont'd: CPD takes such threats seriously. An email containing a bomb threat is circulating to locations in Columbia & across the country asking for bitcoin payment. CPD is conducting searches & NO device/hazardous materials have been found.

— Columbia Police Dept (@ColumbiaPDSC) December 13, 2018

SCAM ALERT: There is a rampant hoax email being distributed across the country of a bomb threat making demands for money. Emails began locally around 1 pm. We do NOT believe these emails have any validity and direct you to delete email. Do NOT send money. More info coming soon

— Grand Rapids Police (@GrandRapidsPD) December 13, 2018

We are currently monitoring multiple bomb threats that have been sent electronically to various locations throughout the city.

These threats are also being reported to other locations nationwide & are NOT considered credible at this time. pic.twitter.com/GowGG4oZ9l

— NYPDCounterterrorism (@NYPDCT) December 13, 2018

We are aware of recent bomb threats made in cities around the country & remain in touch w/ our law enforcement partners to provide assistance. As always, we encourage the public to remain vigilant & to report suspicious activities that could represent a threat to public safety.

— ATF HQ (@ATFHQ) December 13, 2018

This morning we received a call from a local business reporting a bomb threat by email. The threat demanded cash in #Bitcoin. A check of the business determined the threat to be unfounded. Similar threats have been received across the nation today. #bombthreat @CityGroverBeach pic.twitter.com/kufGAnmxdj

— Grover Beach Police (@Grover_BeachPD) December 13, 2018


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