Dozens of businesses across the country received an e-mailed bomb threat this afternoon, prompting evacuations and building sweeps. Threats were received in Seattle, San Francisco, New York, Miami, and Washington, DC, among other locations. The threat’s originating IP address (194.58.58.54) comes from Moscow, Russia.
Here is the verbiage included in the threat:
“Hello. My man has hidden an explosive device (lead azide) in the building where your business is located. My recruited person constructed an explosive device under my direction. It can be hidden anywhere because of its small size, it is impossible to destroy the structure of the building by this explosive device, but if it detonates you will get many victims. My mercenary keeps the building under the control. If he sees any suspicious activity or emergency the bomb will be blown up.
I want to offer you a deal. 20’000 usd is the cost for your life. Tansfer it to me in Bitcoin and I assure that I will withdraw my mercenary and the device will not detonate. But do not try to fool me- my assurance will become actual only after 3 confirms in blockchain network. My payment details (BTC address): 1LeReNiUgHNXvvR8TpgQG1b5nzqoKeUxDY
You must send bitcoins by the end of the workday, if the workday is over and people start leaving the building the device will detonate. Nothing personal this is just a business, if I do not see the bitcoins and the explosive device detonates, next time other companies will transfer me more bitcoins, because this isnt a one-time action.
To stay anonimous I will not log into this email account. I monitor my wallet every 35 minutes and after seeing the bitcoins I will order my recruited person to get away.
If an explosion occurred and the authorities see this letter! We arent terrorists and dont assume any responsibility for explosions in other places.”
Please be advised: THIS IS A HOAX attempting to extort money. The e-mail doesn’t contain a virus or any sort of malware that will be released if you open it. Although bomb threats should always be taken seriously, PC Therapist, along with law enforcement, have investigated and determined these threatening e-mails are A HOAX. There is no credible evidence the e-mails are authentic. E-mails of this type are a federal offense, so if you receive an e-mail like this, contact your local law enforcement agency and report it immediately.
If you have any additional questions, we’re here to help… send us an e-mail or give us a call! PC Therapist