Nationwide swatting spree targeting Jewish institutions appears coordinated, coming from outside US: FBI

Nationwide swatting spree targetting nearly 200 Jewish institutions appears coordinated, coming from outside the U.S., says FBI spokesperson.

A nationwide swatting spree targeting nearly 200 Jewish institutions over the weekend appears to have been a coordinated effort by an entity based outside the United States, the Federal Bureau of Investigation's top spokesperson said in a confidential memo to partner law enforcement agencies.

The communication, written by Assistant FBI Director Cathy Milhoan, and obtained by ABC News, says, "At this time, based on similar language and specific email tradecraft used, it appears the perpetrators of these threats are connected. Additionally, these threats appear to be originating from outside of the United States."

Milhoan continued, "To date, none of these email threats have involved any actual explosive devices or credible risk of harm to congregants."

More than 30 of the 56 FBI field offices are investigating the threats, which violated multiple federal laws, according to Milhoan.

A "record number" of 199 swatting incidents and false bomb threats were tracked between Friday and Saturday by the Secure Community Network, a non-profit that advises U.S. Jewish institutions on safety and security.