This morning, numerous local area businesses and schools started receiving emails of a threatening nature with a demand for payment to a Bitcoin address.  These emails have been received not only McMinnville, but across the region.

The emails state something along the lines of “an explosive device” has been placed inside the building, business or school and it demands money be paid to prevent the explosive device from being set off.   The email warns against contacting the police or evacuating the building, further stating that there are “recruited persons” watching the building for any sign of evacuation or police.   It demands immediate payment to an anonymous Bitcoin account.  It appears that the author is not a native English speaker, which is seen a lot in mass scams.  These emails are a scam and fraud attempt. 

More information on identifying and reporting fraudulent emails can be located at the following website:

https://www.doj.state.or.us/consumer-protection/sales-scams-fraud/report-scams-fraud/