In recent months, major U.S. grocery chains have been targeted by scammers who pose fake bomb threats and demand ransom payments. While these scams often involve cash or gift cards, scammers have also requested payment in Bitcoin. Companies like Kroger, Walmart, and Whole Foods Market have been targeted at various stores across the country, with scammers threatening to detonate bombs if payments were not made. Law enforcement is currently investigating the issue. In response to threats, employees have contacted authorities and stores have been evacuated, although no suspicious items have been found. Bomb threats demanding ransom from retailers are a newer form of extortion that emerged earlier this year. Bitcoin has become popular for facilitating ransom payments due to its global nature, relative privacy, and inability to reverse transactions. However, ransom payments in crypto have fallen in 2022 compared to the previous year, as victims have become less willing to make such transfers due to increased risk and U.S. Treasury sanctions. Authorities are having difficulty tracking down the scammers as they have used hacked phone numbers, making it uncertain whether they are part of an organized effort or their location.
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