Mail warns US banks of 'payback'
Threatening letters containing a suspicious white powder mailed to three US financial institutions warn "it's payback time," according to a text released by the FBI on Thursday.
More than 50 letters, with identical or similar threatening language, were sent to Chase Bank offices, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the US Office of Thrift Supervision, the FBI said.
"Steal tens of thousands of people's money and not expect reprercussions (sic). It's payback time. What you just breathed in will kill you within 10 days. Thank (redacted) and the FDIC for your demise," said the text posted on the FBI website.
The agency also released a photograph of the envelope in which the letter was mailed. It was addressed to a Chase Bank branch in Lakewood, Colorado, and bears an Amarillo, Texas, postmark. All the letters were mailed from the city in the Texas panhandle, the FBI said.
Field tests determined that the powdery substance contained in most of the letters appears harmless, the FBI said, adding that other laboratory tests were being conducted.
US authorities have been on alert for such letters since 2001, when envelopes laced with anthrax were sent to media outlets and US lawmakers and killed five people.
The FBI released the photographs on its website and appealed for the public's help in identifying the person who mailed the threatening letters.
The US Postal Inspection Service is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whomever is responsible.
The letters have been sent to at least 11 states.
Agencies
(China Daily 10/25/2008 page11)
