NYPD, FBI Probing Spate Of Bomb Threats Across NYC; Similar Threats Reported Across Country
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - The NYPD and FBI said they were monitoring multiple bomb threats around the Tri-State area and across the country Thursday.
The NYPD and other law enforcement agencies nationwide said the threats do not appear to be credible and were sent electronically to numerous locations across the country.
We are currently monitoring multiple bomb threats that have been sent electronically to various locations throughout the city.
— NYPDCounterterrorism (@NYPDCT) December 13, 2018
These threats are also being reported to other locations nationwide & are NOT considered credible at this time. pic.twitter.com/GowGG4oZ9l
NYPD officials say they've responded to between 30 and 40 threats throughout the city. They urged vigilance, and reminded people that if they "see something, say something." You can contact the NYPD's counterterrorism hotline at 1-888-NYC-SAFE or email nypdsafe@nypd.org.
At this time, it appears that these threats are meant to cause disruption and/or obtain money. We'll respond to each call regarding these emails to conduct a search but we wanted to share this information so the credibility of these threats can be assessed as likely NOT CREDIBLE.
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 13, 2018
Across the Hudson River, video from Jersey City shows 10 Exchange Place being evacuated due to a received threat. Memorial Middle School in Fair Lawn and Radburn Middle School also received threats and had to be evacuated.
"We are aware of the recent bomb threats made in cities around the country, and we remain in touch with our law enforcement partners to provide assistance," the FBI said in a statement. "As always, we encourage the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities which could represent a threat to public safety."
The Suffolk County Police Department has responded to at least 11 bomb threat incidents during which businesses, one school and one medical facility received an email demanding money. The threats are being investigated, but are deemed to be non-credible at this time.
— Suffolk County PD (@SCPDHq) December 13, 2018
Suffolk County Police said they'd responded to at least 11 of the emailed bomb threats, one of which was received at a school.
CBS News reported that in recent weeks, federal officials sent a bulletin to local police departments warning of similar types of threats after 15 states received similar messages between August and November of this year.
Examples Of Threat Message
Sources tell CBS News the threats are related to an email which demands a Bitcoin payment. Sources told CBS News the threats appear to be extortion attempts for money or cause disruption.
So I actually just got a bomb threat in my work email today ordering me to send the person $20,000 via bitcoin or they will blow up my place of work.... 2018 is wild pic.twitter.com/sn0vVLwe6v
— Ryan (@TheeRyanGrant) December 13, 2018
The threats are similar to computer hacking and extortion scheme that targeted the computers of the City of Newark and dozens of other hospitals, municipalities, and public institutions over a span of 34 months. Two Iranian men have been indicted by federal authorities in connection to those ransomware attacks.