Cybercriminals using bomb threats to scam American public

The US law enforcement has taken note of a phishing scam that uses bomb threats via email to target victims, which led to mass evacuations across the United States on Thursday.

The Grand Rapids Police Department noted that the emails asked for an electronic financial transaction in order to deactivate the bomb.

The police department has so far responded to emergency calls from Michigan's University Prep Academy, the Bucher Hydrolic, and Mary Freebed Hospital amongst other places.

"It is believed that these emails are originating outside the country, and are merely an opportunity to try to solicit money. We have found no validity to any of the threats reported so far, and therefore, do not believe that there is any cause for alarm or elevated threat level. If you are a recipient of one of these emails, do NOT send any money," the Grand Rapids Police Department said in an advisory on Thursday (local time).

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), on the other hand, also took note of the incident and encouraged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.

.