NEW ULM — The New Ulm Shopper was among the businesses and institutes across the country that received bomb threats Thursday.

The threat came in the form of an email to the Shopper, which is published by The Journal, and whose offices adjacent to The Journal are currently vacant. The sender claimed a “mercenary “ had carried an explosive device into the “building where your company is conducted.”

The would-be bomber promised not to detonate the device if paid $20,000 in Bitcoin.

The message was not considered a credible threat and no action was taken.

New Ulm Police were unaware of any other bomb threats sent to New Ulm businesses besides the Shopper.