Alert over scam emails threatening business owners

Alert over scam emails threatening business owners

Police are urging independent business owners not to respond to threatening scam emails demanding payment of £10,000 in Bitcoin.

Dyfed-Powys Police has received three reports from businesses who have received threatening emails in the past 24 hours.

The emails contain the subject “last letter” and use strong language to demand £10,000 in Bitcoin within three days. The sender claims they have a flight booked to the UK, and threaten the recipient with violence if they do not pay.

All three emails reported to the force by businesses in Carmarthenshire and Powys have contained the same wording.

Detective Sergeant Rob Gravelle, from the Digital Communications and Cyber Crime Unit, said: “A scam email appears to be circulating, targeting businesses across the force.

“The sender is threatening violence unless a large amount of money is sent. Thankfully the three people who have reported the emails to us, have not paid any money, but we are concerned that some business owners might feel threatened into transferring the funds.

“We would urge anyone who has received an email of this kind not to click any links, not to reply to the email, or contact the sender in any way, not to open any attachments, and report the incident to Action Fraud.”

Reports can be made to Action Fraud at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ or by calling 0300 123 2040.