NBC News is reporting Thursday afternoon that “dozens” of bomb threats are being reported at locales across the country:
Dozens of bomb threats being reported at news outlets, government buildings, banks, libraries, schools and other businesses across the US, various local media and police depts. report.
— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 13, 2018
NYPD Counterterrorism Bureau:
“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 and are not considered credible at this time."
— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 13, 2018
FBI: “We are aware of the recent bomb threats made in cities around the country … As always, we encourage the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities which could represent a threat to public safety.”
— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 13, 2018
Dozens of places including universities, courthouses and newspapers are responding to emailed bomb threats. The FBI says it's aware. https://t.co/oAWSAZF5ej pic.twitter.com/v3eZuq3OQH
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) December 13, 2018
The fact that they’ve been sent electronically and simultaneously sounds like it could be one person or a collection of people who coordinated the stunt online via social media. We’re reminded of the time two years ago when teens were screaming warnings about gunshots in several malls simultaneously, causing panic and evacuations.
Quick, everybody blame whomever will confirm your priors! https://t.co/9IRweNJvGe
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) December 13, 2018
Matthew Keys says that according to WABC-TV, the bomb threats number in the hundreds, not dozens.
WABC-TV: "Hundreds" of bomb threats sent to schools and businesses across the country.
— Matthew Keys (@MatthewKeysLive) December 13, 2018
It’s odd — if it were one bomb threat, it would be much easier to take seriously than hundreds all at once, so the motive really does seem unclear here.
The official Twitter account of the New York City Police Department says it might be part of a bitcoin scam:
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
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
It appears series of #bombthreats popping up around the country are simply automated spam: https://t.co/fwOsQ0E5fz #bombthreat pic.twitter.com/ziorK0huBh
— Jason Fechner (@jasonfechner) 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
That includes Columbine High School this morning in Littleton Colorado. No creditable threat was discovered, but students and staff were kept behind closed doors until school was released for the day.
— Manny Sotelo (@MSotelo9News) December 13, 2018
#Breaking: Threats reported at Columbine High School
— @jeffcosheriffco bomb squad, deputies, firefighters and an ambulance are on scene
— 24 schools in the area are on lockout
— news conference expected in moments
WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/FkIp8EsuIa pic.twitter.com/5HxT6Qvi43— CBSDenver (@CBSDenver) December 13, 2018
* * *
Update:
Yeah, if your child was evacuated from school today, it’s probably the result of a spam email blasted nationwide demanding payment in bitcoin to remove the “bomb” and keep it from detonating.
This is the email that has caused evacuations and lockdowns at dozens of locations across the United States https://t.co/SLgMzr0mQO pic.twitter.com/Mr9XGyou1k
— BNO News (@BNONews) December 13, 2018
Twitchy will update this story as more details become available.
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