Police departments in several states were reporting bomb threats at seemingly random locations on Thursday.
Threats to various businesses, schools, jewelry stores, attorney’s offices and even Zoos were made–mostly via email.
The states include, New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Louisiana, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Utah, California, Mississippi and Nebraska. The list is growing.
Police say the emails demand payment in the form of Bitcoins.
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
Several area businesses are receiving what appears to be a robo-email saying there is a bomb threat to their business unless they pay money in Bitcoins. We have found no credible evidence any of these emails are authentic. See CRPD Facebook for more details. #Scam
— Cedar Rapids Police (@CR_Police) December 13, 2018
St. George Police & Fire have responded to a bomb threat at the DSU Testing Center, located in North Plaza. The building has been evacuated and everyone is advised to stay clear of the North Plaza area. We will post an update as soon as we have more information.
— DixieStateUniversity (@DixieState) December 13, 2018
OUR CENTURY CENTER BUILDING HAS BEEN EVACUATED DUE TO A BOMB THREAT CALLED IN TO ANOTHER OFFICE IN THE BUILDING. WE ARE UNABLE TO SEE PATIENTS OR TAKE PHONE CALLS AT THIS LOCATION RIGHT NOW. PLEASE CONTACT… https://t.co/7B8NW2kzPm
— CMG Pediatrics (@CMGAtlanta) December 13, 2018
#Breaking – @OKCPD say there are about 13 bomb threats in and around the city. Add’l threats in Edmond. They tell Fox 25 it’s a national alert with bomb threats coming in thru email. If you get a threat, contact your police department. #Oklahoma #Okla
— Mike Brooks (@MikeBrooksOKC) 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
ONGOING: Police Investigating Numerous Email-Generated Bomb Threats at Lancaster Co. Locations https://t.co/gVRm6bLdRM
— Lancaster DA (@Lancaster_DA) December 13, 2018
#BREAKING: Mass State Police says it is tracking multiple bomb threats mailed into numerous businesses in the state. Bomb Squad has been notified and police in those communities are responding. pic.twitter.com/N6nWCaXMlq
— WBZ | CBS Boston News (@wbz) December 13, 2018
#BREAKING Employees at the Penticton Honda, Penticton Hyundai, and Skaha Ford have been evacuated due to an alleged #provincewide bomb threat. Follow @PentictonNews for more updates pic.twitter.com/eXMCfVGk9x
— Jordyn Thomson (@JordynThomson01) December 13, 2018
We have received several additional calls of Bomb Threats at multiple locations in the city. We are investigating these threats with our local, state, and federal partners as is standard protocol. This investigation is on going. Stay tuned to our twitter for updates.
— Beaumont Police Dept (@beaumont_police) December 13, 2018
So far, none of the threats have been deemed as credible. No injuries were reported and no explosives have been found.