Scammers target US retail stores with bomb threats, seeking bitcoins and gift cards: report

[ad_1]

US law enforcement authorities are investigating bomb threats received by grocers and other stores across the United States demanding gift cards, bitcoin or cash, reported Sunday. the Wall Street Journal.

US law enforcement authorities are investigating bomb threats received by grocers and other stores across the United States demanding gift cards, bitcoin or cash, reported Sunday. the Wall Street Journal.

The report says retail companies such as Kroger, Walmart, Amazon’s Whole Foods Market and a few others have received bomb threats in their stores in recent months. The caller threatened to detonate bombs if payments were not made, the report added.

The report says retail companies such as Kroger, Walmart, Amazon’s Whole Foods Market and a few others have received bomb threats in their stores in recent months. The caller threatened to detonate bombs if payments were not made, the report added.

In Chicago, a caller told a Whole Foods Market employee that a pipe bomb had been planted in the store and demanded $5,000 in bitcoins, the WSJ reported. At a Kroger-owned store in New Mexico, a female employee received a call from a suspect who asked her to wire money and said a bomb would go off if she called the police, the report added. WSJ.

In Chicago, a caller told a Whole Foods Market employee that a pipe bomb had been planted in the store and demanded $5,000 in bitcoins, the WSJ reported. At a Kroger-owned store in New Mexico, a female employee received a call from a suspect who asked her to wire money and said a bomb would go off if she called the police, the report added. WSJ.

Police found no suspicious items in the store after searching the premises following a complaint from employees.

Police found no suspicious items in the store after searching the premises following a complaint from employees.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (the US intelligence and homeland security service) said it was working with local and state law enforcement officials on threats. The FBI has asked the public to remain aware of their surroundings and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (the US intelligence and homeland security service) said it was working with local and state law enforcement officials on threats. The FBI has asked the public to remain aware of their surroundings and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.

Police said they were investigating the threats, but the callers have been difficult to trace as they use blocked phone numbers.

Police said they were investigating the threats, but the callers have been difficult to trace as they use blocked phone numbers.

Authorities also don’t know if the threats are part of an organized effort and where the callers are. Individual stores have not received more than one threat so far and some callers have not demanded payment, police added.

Authorities also don’t know if the threats are part of an organized effort and where the callers are. Individual stores have not received more than one threat so far and some callers have not demanded payment, police added.

Law enforcement officials said every call should be taken seriously. They called on companies not to give money to callers; and asked store staff who spoke to callers to get as much information as possible to help identify the culprits.

Law enforcement officials said every call should be taken seriously. They called on companies not to give money to callers; and asked store staff who spoke to callers to get as much information as possible to help identify the culprits.

[ad_2]