Threatening messages from supposedly “envious” business rivals have been sent to people across the county. 

Hertfordshire Constabulary have received reports of people being sent emails with threats to kill if they do not send money to an anonymous account. 

The message, which extends to recipients beyond the county, says, “Read this text carefully, since it can be the last in your life”. 

It goes on to say the sender has been paid to kill the recipient by an “envious” business rival and to “save your life” a sum of money should be sent to an anonymous bitcoin account.

The sender goes on to say they plan to come to the UK to carry out the threat, ending with: “The well-being of the future life depends on your choice. Think about your life, you family.”

The message appears to have been sent to a large number of people across the UK with intention of frightening people into sending money. 

If you have received a threatening message of this nature, visit www.herts.police.uk/contact to report this crime via our non-emergency online reporting service or you can report it by telephone using our non-emergency number, 101.