Bogus bioterrorism is on the increase in the US, according to figures from
the FBI. The bureau investigated 31 alleged or threatened uses of biological
agents between October 1997 and September 1998, compared with only 18 such
investigations in the previous year. In each case the perpetrators did not
actually possess any bioweapons. The increase is part of a general trend towards
more bogus threats from people claiming to be prepared to use weapons of mass
destruction, including chemical and nuclear devices.
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