x
Breaking News
More () »

Columbia law agencies respond to nationwide rash of bomb threats

The threats demanded a payment of money via Bitcoin, but so far, none of the reports have turned out to be true.
Credit: Thinkstock

Columbia, SC (WLTX, USA TODAY) - The nationwide bomb threats that have sent law enforcement officials scrambling across the country have been reported in the Midlands.

The Columbia Police Department, Richland County Sheriff's Department, and Lexington County Sheriff's Department all confirmed they'd received reports of threats made to public buildings in the area. However, none of these threats turned out to be true.

Related coverage: Police departments nationwide flooded with bomb threats

Columbia police had a total of five threats, while the Richland and Lexington sheriff's department said they had two each. One of the threats was made to the Township Auditorium, while another was at a location just outside the South Carolina Governor's mansion.

But Columbia police said after an investigation, they found no credible evidence to the threat, and Lexington deputies say they checked their claims as well but cleared the scenes when they found nothing.

Officers say if a business gets an email, they should save it, and immediately notify law enforcement.

Similar threats happened in Atlanta, Charlotte, New York, Dallas, San Francisco, as well as dozens of other cities. The threats came in by email.

Some of the emailed threats had the subject line: “Think Twice.”

Many of the threats demanded $20,000 in Bitcoin, according to AppRiver, a Florida-based cybersecurity company, which obtained copies of the emails.

In one, the sender warned that a "recruited mercenary" had placed an explosive device in the targeted building and would detonate it unless the payment was made.

AppRiver said on its blogs that the messages were poorly worded, using non-native English.

In one message, obtained by AppRiver, the senders said, "We are not a terorrist society and dont (sic) assume liability for acts of terrorism in other places."

No city so far has found any evidence of actual bombs.

Before You Leave, Check This Out