APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – Emailed bomb threats across the country have hit the city of Appleton.
Appleton Police are calling emailed bomb threats a scam.
Police say on Thursday, four Appleton businesses reported receiving bomb threats within a short time frame.
While police did not give the exact businesses, Captain Rudy Nyman said there was no connection to the businesses and the emails appeared to be random.
“We have some major businesses, we have a church, so it’s basically somebody grabbing email addresses and sending out a shotgun approach.”
Nyman says those businesses responded with their own company protocols.
“We do not dictate to the businesses on how they deal with any type of bomb threat, they have their own procedures.”
He says because they have determined the emails to not be credible, they prefer that companies do not request the service of the bomb squad.
Similar emails have been reported in all 50 states.
“It is asking for bitcoin, so there is a ransom portion of it and that is why we are involving the word scam related to it, they are trying to get these businesses to provide them money.”
Nyman says no money should be sent, and police should be contacted if you receive any email in the manor.
Anyone with information should immediately contact the Appleton Police Department at 920-832-5500.
