Police investigating after dozens of bomb threats made to major cities across Canada and US
Police across Canada and the US are investigating a series of bomb threats reported on Thursday.
In many instances, people have been reporting that they’re being told to transfer thousands of dollars worth of Bitcoin to a specific address.
What is wrong with these people ? So now we have #spam with #BombThreat in order to extort money from you in #Bitcoin … This world is really upside-down …#spam #malware #security #crypto #criminals pic.twitter.com/y7gA8FQjjH
— TheCoinWarrior (@TheCoinWarrior) December 13, 2018
Threats in Canada
In Canada, threats have been reported in Calgary, Toronto, Pentiction, Ottawa, and Winnipeg.
Just before 2 pm on Thursday, Calgary Police Services released a statement a Facebook post explaining that a number of bomb threats had been made via email.
In Toronto, King Subway Station was evacuated, after police received a threat Thursday afternoon, shortly after 3:30 pm.
BOMB THREAT:
King Subway Station
-A threat has been received
-Police are investigating
-King Subway Station has been evacuated
*Anyone with info that may assist in this investigation is asked to call police*#GO2285161
^dh— Toronto Police OPS (@TPSOperations) December 13, 2018
Police in Ottawa say they received multiple calls about bomb threats being made via email to local businesses. Police are asking anyone who received an email to not respond to the bitcoin demand.
Ottawa Police investigates numerous bomb threats swatting e-mails https://t.co/F4yWDijXwG #ottnews
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) December 13, 2018
In Penticton, BC, the threats were being sent to Honda, Hyundai and Skaha Ford dealerships. Streets in the city were blocked off and neighbouring businesses were evacuated.
Bomb threats being received by the Honda, Hyundai and Skaha Ford dealerships. Police are actively blocking off the 500 block of Duncan Ave W, and evacuated all neighbouring businesses. Public advised to find alternative routes until deemed safe.
— PentictonRCMP (@PentictonRCMP) December 13, 2018
Threats in the US
The FBI said on Thursday it was aware of a wave of bomb threats being sent to multiple cities in the US, including Washington DC, Chicago, New York and San Francisco.
In a statement, the agency said it was in touch with law enforcement partners across the US and would provide assistance.
“As always, we encourage the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities which could represent a threat to public safety,” it said. Higher education institutions including Penn State University and the University of Washington were also targeted.
The New York Police Department said it had conducted a number of searches in relation to emailed bomb threats asking for bitcoin payment, but no devices were found.
In a Twitter message, the NYPD said it deemed the threats non-credible.
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
“At this time, it appears that these threats are meant to cause disruption and/or obtain money,” it wrote.
Police in both Canada and the US continue to investigate the threats.
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