Twenty-four thousand threatening “bomb hoax” emails were sent to schools in the UK in a feud between rival Minecraft gamers, it has been claimed.
Hundreds of schools and colleges across the UK received the email threat on Monday and some were evacuated, police said.
Police forces across the country said the messages contained “a bomb hoax” and that there are not believed to be any “viable threats”.
Sky News reported that the emails were spoofed to look like they had been sent by a gaming network known as VeltPvP – a Minecraft player-versus-player server - and designed to result in the domain being suspended for abuse.
According to Sky News, those involved in the feud, which centres around the Velt server operators, claimed their opponents engaged in illegal activities to harass each other.
One of those responsible for sending the hoax emails was quoted as saying “It’s horrible, it’s not the nicest thing” when asked if he regretted frightening children.
Velt LLC’s chief executive Carson Kallen told Sky News that the accusations against the domain were completely false.
The hoax email is believed to read: "This is a message to EVERYONE. We have sent in a student with a bomb. The bomb is set to go off in 3 hours time. If you do sent $5,000 USD to payments@veltpvp.com
"If you do not send the money! We will blow up the device. Our site has all the information needed
"If you try to call the cops we WILL blowup the device on the SPOT! ANY attempt at defusing it your self will cause it to explode."
It is then followed by what appears to be Arabic writing.
Schools in London were among hundreds up and down the country which were evacuated due to the mass bomb threat.
Horrified parents dashed to pick up their children after the messages were sent and spoke out against the “absolutely disgusting hoax”.
One woman wrote on Twitter: "My daughter’s school has been evacuated because of a bomb threat and I’m still miles away in an Uber racing to get her home safely.
"Please don’t **** with other people’s kids. There’s so much wrong with this world," she added.
Hounslow Council confirmed that eight of its schools were affected while Ealing Council said: "We know that schools have received a letter. They are aware of it and will be vigilant.
"Police will visit each school that has reported receiving a threat. Schools remain open at this time.”
A Met Police spokesman said: "Police are investigating reports of communications made to a number of schools across London today.
"There have been no arrests. Enquiries are ongoing."
Northumbria Police said in a tweet: "The emails inform the school that a bomb has been placed on the grounds and will be detonated if they don’t hand over cash."
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