Carson City and Nevada offices part of nationwide wave of bomb threats related to bitcoin
Government buildings in Carson City, as well in Las Vegas were evacuated briefly Thursday after receiving emails that reportedly were of a threatening nature. Authorities say similar bomb threats were sent to dozens of cities nationwide.
The Nevada Secretary of State's Office in Carson City was evacuated briefly late Thursday morning and apparently other state offices, including those in Las Vegas, were also evacuated. The evacuations in Carson City have been lifted.
A spokeswoman for the Nevada Department of Public Safety said the agency is aware that some state agencies and businesses have received emails regarding an alleged bomb threat in an attempt to extort bitcoin.
A similar email has been reported to have been received by multiple agencies and businesses across the nation.
"This situation is being taken very seriously and the Nevada DPS and Nevada Threat Analysis Center (NTAC) are working in coordination with local, state and federal authorities to investigate the matter," said Nevada DPS public information officer Kim Yoko Smith. "We are asking the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to KeepNevadaSafe.org or call in to the tip line at 844-733-7248."
NBC News and CNN report the threats were part of a wave of email threats that were made in cities throughout the United States. The Associated Press reports the threats appear to be a hoax.