FBI: Internet Threats of Bombing NFL Stadiums Were a Hoax

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security said Thursday that agents had questioned a 20-year-old Milwaukee man and determined that the threats of "dirty bomb" attacks at NFL stadiums this weekend were a hoax.

"The investigation has determined that this is a hoax," said a joint statement issued by the agencies. "The public should be reassured of their security as they continue to attend sporting events this weekend." The man questioned by the FBI did not appear to have any ties to terrorist organizations, according to an FBI official.

The threat, dated October 12, was posted to a Montreal-based website called The Friend Society. The site links to a number of online discussion forums and risqué cartoons. The author of the post, who called himself "javness," said that trucks were going to deliver radiological bombs to stadiums in New York, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Cleveland, and Oakland on Sunday and that Usama bin Laden would claim responsibility. The threat said the attacks would take place on Oct. 22, the last day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

The man questioned by the FBI admitted that he had posted the fake bomb threat as part of an Internet competition with a person in Texas to create the scariest terror scenario possible. Investigators received a tip about the online competition from a friend of the man who posted the threat.

Upon first learning of the threat, DHS and FBI officials immediately alerted authorities Wednesday in the cities mentioned in the threat, as well as the NFL and the National Collegiate Athletic Association, even though there was no intelligence indicating that such an attack was being planned. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told the media that stadiums are already well protected by "comprehensive security procedures" that include searching backpacks and pat-downs of suspicious individuals.

Law enforcement officials told reporters that the investigation is continuing and it’s too early to say whether or not the man who posted the threat will be charged with anything. "From the information we have, we believe he was involved to some extent, but we don't know at what level," said FBI agent Douglas E. Porrini. He added: "That person was released, but we're not saying that he won't be charged."