Businesses, schools and locals in English-speaking countries around the world have received bomb bombs if they don’t send bitcoins to extortionists.
No evidence of the actual deployment of explosives and their detonation has yet been identified, but the threats have led to a massive evacuation of the population and the opening of investigations by law enforcement agencies in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and, possibly, in other countries of the world. Police investigate potential threats and call on victims of attackers to use caution.
WPS is investigating a number of bomb threats.
Businesses are spread throughout the city. Similar threats have been made in CAN and the US. WPS is substantiated.– Winnipeg Police (@wpgpolice) December 13, 2018
We are aware of what has been made. As always, we encourage public safety.
– ATF HQ (@ATFHQ) December 13, 2018
It received an email from demanding money. The threats are being investigated, but they are deemed to be non-credible at this time.
– Suffolk County PD (@SCPDHq) December 13, 2018
Threat calls in OKC. There have been similar threats. No credible threat found at this point. We encourage and call with anything suspicious.
– Oklahoma City Police (@OKCPD) December 13, 2018
According to the examples of these letters published online, they contain headlines such as “Do not waste your time” or “Think Twice”, and the message says that an explosive device was installed in a company or organization building and the recipient must pay by the end of the day $ 20 thousand in bitcoins, so that it is not detonated.
In this case, the attackers claim that they are not terrorists and say: "Nothing personal, it's just a business . " The letter also contains the address of a Bitcoin wallet to which you need to transfer money. And in different letters indicate a different address, which is a common tactic in this kind of fraud.
How many people have already transferred the required amount to the extortionists is currently unknown.
The scale at which the attack is launched is also not yet clear. In addition to the countries listed above, at least one such letter was received in the UK. In Toronto , five subway stations were closed due to threats. In the USA, people from several hospitals and schools have been evacuated. And these are just some examples.
The New York City Police Department urged residents not to succumb to extortionist threats and said that they were most likely unfounded. In this case, the police are ready to continue to investigate each such letter.
At this time, it was meant to cause disruption and / or obtain money. We will respond as much as possible NOT CREDIBLE.
– NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 13, 2018
At the moment, investigations are ongoing.
