Scam Emails Threaten Violence at Local Nonprofits

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ROCKVILLE, MD — Emails that threatened violence against workers at local nonprofit agencies were attempts by scam artists to extort money, and no physical harm was likely to happen, authorities say.

The Montgomery County Police Department is investigating two cases that occurred within the last week that involved threatening emails.

The emails, sent to members of the organizations, said that if the recipient did not transfer a specified amount of money via the online payment system Bitcoin by a specified deadline, violence would occur at the organization’s office.

Police say the emails also warned that the nonprofits were under surveillance and workers must not call law enforcement.

Montgomery County detectives, with help from federal law enforcement, determined that the emails came from outside the country, and were a version of a phishing scheme used to extort money.

Investigators said the threats in the emails were not credible.

Police urge anyone or organization that receives a similar email to call the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000. Do not respond to the e-mail or transfer money.