Hoax Bomb Threats Targeted Dozens of Mass. Businesses
None were deemed credible, police say.
Image via Massachusetts State Police
Dozens of emailed bomb threats led to evacuations and calls to police around the state on Thursday in what appears to have been a nationwide hoax.
Massachusetts State Police said Thursday they were “tracking multiple bomb threats,” which included several in Boston. At the same time, similar threatening messages were reported across the country. None were deemed credible, but local and federal authorities conducted “risk assessment procedures” anyway.
In all, as many as 40 businesses reported receiving a threatening email from some unknown sender requesting, in questionable English, a large sum to be paid in Bitcoin, a cryptocurrency that is hard to track online. Several businesses were targeted in Boston, among them the Boston Opera House, police say.
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
MSP and partner agencies on federal and local levels are conducting risk assessment procedures regarding the threats and will determine appropriate responses. NO indications of any explosives located or detonated to this point. We will continue to communicate info when available. https://t.co/fPXhNy2vPF
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) December 13, 2018
Please be advised – there is an email being circulated containing a bomb threat asking for bitcoin payment. While this email has been sent to numerous locations, searches have been conducted and NO DEVICES have been found. pic.twitter.com/7omOs13Z7Q
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 13, 2018
The Bitcoin-spam-scammers have moved on from fake blackmail threats to fake bomb threats. So far no-one’s paid anything to the address, and I suspect it’ll stay that way. pic.twitter.com/N5MOdmu8Jm
— Tom Scott (@tomscott) December 13, 2018
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
