Pay Bitcoin Demands Or Else…
Hackers have taken malicious scams to an entirely new level by sending a wave of threatening emails to businesses, schools, and public municipalities in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. The hacker’s ransom note demands a payment of $20,000 in bitcoin by the end of the day. They also claim, if the payment isn’t made, or if the victims call the authorities, the ‘bomb” will be detonated. Fortunately, there’s no evidence of any actual explosives. However, it’s causing numerous evacuations and law enforcement investigations across these three major countries.
Although authorities haven’t disclosed where these emails are coming from, there is speculation it is from the same hackers who have been sending sextortion scam emails.
It is important to reiterate, these are both scams. If a business or school find themselves the recipient of one of these ransom notes, it is recommended they call the authorities immediately.
Recent Victims
According to The Verge, several of these victims include area businesses and municipalities in Oklahoma City, Suffolk, Manitoba, Winnipeg, Ottawa, and the state of Massachusetts. Local authorities have been notified of the threats in these areas, and have dealt with the false threats appropriately.
