Bomb threats sent to hundreds of schools 'sparked by row over Minecraft in elaborate plot to get back at gamers'
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Bomb hoaxers who forced schools to evacuate today after sending tens of thousands of 'threats' were rivals quarreling about popular game Minecraft, it is claimed.
Terrifying messages claimed that devices had been placed on school grounds, and would be detonated if demands were not met.
It is understood that 24,000 threatening emails were sent to schools and colleges across the UK.
Now Sky News reports that the ominous messages were sent to make authorities believe it was sent from a player-versus-player server, in an elaborate plot to get it shut down.
Server VeltPvP was targeted by Minecraft players who felt other users had unfairly harassed them, it is claimed.
One of the alleged plotters told Sky News when asked if he regretted his actions: "It is horrible, it's not the nicest thing."
A Twitter account linked to the VeltPvP network wrote this afternoon: "We have nothing to do with the bomb threats that were sent out to the 400+ UK schools.
"We've been being harassed by a group of cyber criminals that are trying to harass us in anyway possible.
"We're extremely sorry for anyone who had to deal with this, but just know it's fake."
In a further Tweet it wrote: "People are messed up in the head, hope whoever did this gets caught and justice is served."
Minecraft has sold more than 144 million copies across the world, making it the second most popular video game of all time, behind Tetris.
It sees players build at 3D world, and combat other gamers.
(Image: Microsoft)
A number of schools in London have been evacuated while Northumbria Police confirmed a large number had also received threats - but were not evacuated.
The threats - not being treated as genuine - are believed to have come from the United States and have been sent across the UK.
The threat 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 Arabic writing.
(Image: SWNS.com)
One student told the Bristol Post : “We are in the middle of a lockdown. We haven’t been told told anything by the teachers or police, but they are searching our bags.
“All of the other year groups are affected.
“We were told there were a number of incidents in Bristol this morning.
“I spoke to my father who rang the police and my dad told me many schools across the country have received several threats.
“The police are currently searching our bags and persons for unknown items.
“We have been told not to leave the class rooms, and have been told very little.
“We are scared and confused and have no idea what is going on.”
(Image: Google)
At 11.10am the Metropolitan Police tweeted: "Police are investigating reports of communications made to a number of schools across London today, Monday, 19 March.
"There have been no arrests. Enquiries are ongoing."
North Yorkshire Police have branded the threats a "hoax".