The attackers demanded 5 BTC (over 22 million rubles at the exchange rate at the time of writing), threatening to blow up bombs in two business centres in St. Petersburg.
According to local media, threats via email with ransom demands were received by the Fort Tower and Renaissance Park business centres.
However, after evacuating people and inspecting the buildings, no explosive devices were found.
Authorities are seeking the perpetrators; the question of filing criminal charges is under consideration.
As reported in 2019, Russia saw a wave of false bomb threats after media investigations suggested possible involvement of entrepreneur Konstantin Malofeyev and FSB officers in the theft of funds from the WEX cryptocurrency exchange.
An unknown ‘miner’ demanded payment of 120 BTC stolen from the exchange. He subsequently repeatedly threatened explosions and demanded a ransom.
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