Winnipeg Police are investigating several emailed bomb threats to businesses across the city that seem to be part of a North American wide scam.
Police say that although they are taking the threats seriously none of them has been substantiated.
RCMP in Manitoba also say that multiple businesses in other communities around the province have also received the email threats that are demanding payment in bitcoins in exchange for the location of the alleged bombs.
The threats appear to have been sent to businesses in major cities in Canada and the United States. Each of the emails is similar to each other and of the hundreds of threats that were sent none have resulted in an actual device being located.
Police Service after Police Service, including Winnipeg Police and RCMP, has taken to social media and all of them say to not engage with the sender of the threat but to call the police if you receive this email threat.
Ottawa Police investigates numerous bomb threats swatting e-mails https://t.co/F4yWDijXwG #ottnews
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) December 13, 2018
We are currently responding to multiple bomb threats across #YYC. At this time we don't have any reason to believe they are credible. However, out of an abundance of caution we are treating each as if it is real. We are also aware of similar events occurring across the continent.
— Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) 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 mass email campaign seems to have been an attempt to extort money. As much as $20,000 in bitcoins was demanded in the emails that have been described as clumsily written and reminiscent of the Nigerian prince email scam that has been floating around for years.
Some police departments report that the scammers were asking for Google Play Store cards and other forms of payment.
News 4 has seen several copies of the alleged emails and although each is slightly different each has very similar language and messaging. News 4 has chosen not to publish the contents of the emails while police are investigating.
© 2018 News 4
.
