Retailers in the Bitcoin industry become targets of bomb threats: Kroger, Walmart, and Whole Foods among major stores affected

• Major US retailers, including Kroger, Walmart, and Amazon’s Whole Foods Market, have been targeted with bomb threats linked to ransom demands in cash, Bitcoin, or gift cards.
• Despite the grave threats, no suspicious packages or explosive devices have been found in any of the reported incidents so far.

In a disturbing development, several of America’s prominent retailers, such as Kroger, Walmart, and Amazon’s Whole Foods Market, have faced a series of bomb threats tied to ransom demands. This alarming trend is characterized by the extortionists demanding ransom in the form of hard cash, Bitcoin, or even gift cards. Failure to comply, they warn, would lead to the detonation of an alleged concealed bomb within the retailers’ premises.

While bomb threats aren’t entirely unheard of – with institutions like schools, airports, and political organizations often becoming targets – this latest rash of threats towards retailers introduces an intriguing new layer. What’s more, these threats have been indiscriminate, striking various regions from New Mexico to Wisconsin.

A Kroger-owned store in New Mexico, for instance, was jolted by a suspect’s call where the employee was told to wire money or risk a bomb explosion should the police be alerted, as per Reuters’ report. Not dissimilar was an event in a Chicago suburb where a Whole Foods Market worker received a call alleging a pipe bomb in the store and a demand for $5,000 in Bitcoin, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Moreover, two Meijer locations in Wisconsin were reportedly subjected to parallel threats within hours of each other in May. The second threat to a Grafton, Wisconsin location bizarrely demanded $5,000 worth of Apple gift cards.

Despite the ominous threats, the top brass at these retail giants reassured that they were handling the situation seriously and coordinating closely with law enforcement. Kroger’s CEO, Rodney McMullen, and spokespeople from Walmart and Whole Foods emphasized their cooperation with police and the FBI.

In response to these threats, law enforcement agencies’ immediate action is to evacuate the respective retail establishment, followed by deploying a specialized bomb squad to conduct a thorough search. Importantly, up to this point, all these actions have led to no discovery of suspicious packages or explosive devices in any of the reported incidents.

Nonetheless, while the threats turned out to be baseless, the perpetrators of these hoaxes have succeeded in inflicting economic damage on the retailers. Beyond the financial toll, these threats have understandably stirred stress and fear among the employees and customers. This unsavory practice seems nothing more than a crude scam to illicitly obtain money or Bitcoin, or curiously, a significant amount of Apple gift cards.