Palos Hills Business Targeted In Email Bomb Hoax: Cops

PALOS HILLS, IL -- A Palos Hills business received an emailed bomb threat on Dec. 14, part of a hoax that hit dozens of businesses and institutions in four countries. Police went to Carousel Checks, 11152 Southwest Highway, around 9 a.m. in reference to a bomb threat.

The business owner reported receiving an email demanding $20,000 in bitcoins to avoid detonating a hidden bomb. The business was evacuated and no bombs were found, reports said.

The email was sent to newspapers, universities and institutions around the country. While some dismissed it as spam, others who received it contacted local police. Buildings were evacuated and businesses were disrupted while police searched for explosive devices.

Although not the actual email sent to Carousel Checks, the threat shared with news media warned recipients that it was “nothing personal, this is just business.” The sender stated that he or she would not longer be entering the email account for safety, but would be checking “every 35 min” to see if the ransom was paid.

“If I see payment I will give the command to my mercenary to get away.”

The email concluded with a disclaimer: "If an explosion occurred and the authorities notice this message: We arent [sic] a terrorist organization and dont [sic] take any responsibility for explosions in other buildings."

The FBI advised that threats appeared to be a hoax.