Mysterious bags of rocks left at houses harmless, but website referencing al-Qaeda inside isn’t

Published 9:35 pm Saturday, May 4, 2019

A group of scammers is hoping your curiosity about a small bag of rocks will get the best of you.

Mississippi law enforcement authorities are investigating puzzling reports of small bags of rocks being left at residences.The rocks are just a ploy, however, to get a curious finder to visit the website listed on a small piece of paper inside the bag.

The paper contains some language that claims the group ALPHA is responsible for deaths caused by the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and the 2014 tsunami in Sri Lanka, along with the bogus website. It also suggests ALPHA cause deaths of hundreds of thousands of al-Qaeda members.

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Hancock County Sheriff’s Office investigators have received reports that either a van or SUV has been seen dropping the small bags.

Deputies warn residents not to visit the website under any circumstance as it could deliver malware to any electronic device. The site listed on the paper inside the bags has been linked to malware in the past.

If you have already visited the site, please contact Investigator Reid with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office at (228) 466-6900. The Diamondhead Division of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office have been in communication with State and Federal authorities regarding this incident.