MANCHESTER, NH – Police are investigating multiple bomb threats reported on Thursday.
At approximately 2:30 p.m. police received a report of a bomb threat received via email by a business on North Commercial Street. Officers responded to the location, and evacuated the employees. A bomb sweep of the location with a police K-9 was conducted, with no device located.
At approximately 3:20 p.m, another bomb threat was reported at a location on Elm Street. Again, this threat was reported as being received via email. Officers responded to the location, where measures were taken to ensure the safety of the occupants.
It appears these two matters are related. Similar bomb threats, received in the same manner as these aforementioned two incidents were reported at locations statewide, as well as throughout the country.
According to various news outlets reporting on the “bitcoin bomb threats,” the content has proven to be similar to the following, with some differences in the chemical described, as received by Cedar Rapids, Iowa, police, which they posted on their department Facebook page:
Subject: Do not waste your time
Hello. My man hid an explosive device (Hexogen) in the building where your business is conducted. My mercenary assembled the explosive device according to my guide. It has small dimensions and it is covered up very carefully, it is impossible to damage the building structure by my bomb, but in the case of its detonation there will be many victims.
My recruited person keeps the area under the control. If any unusual behavior or cop is noticed he will power the bomb.
I can call off my man if you make a transfer. 20.000 dollars is the cost for your life and business. Pay it to me in BTC and I warrant that I will withdraw my man and the device won’t detonate. But do not try to cheat- my guarantee will become valid only after 3 confirmations in blockchain network.My payment details (Bitcoin address): (REMOVED)
You must solve problems with the transaction by the end of the workday, if you are late with the money the device will detonate.
Nothing personal this is just a business, if you don’t transfer me the bitcoins and a bomb explodes, next time other companies will send me more money, because this is not a one-time action.
For my safety, I will no longer log into this email. I check my address every forty min and if I receive the payment I will order my person to get away.If the explosive device detonates and the authorities see this letter:
We are not terrorists and dont (sic) assume any liability for explosions in other places.
The investigation in Manchester is ongoing and no further information will be released at this time. Anyone with information related to these incidents is encouraged to contact the Manchester Police Department at 603-668-8711.
