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FBI investigating Las Vegas man's claim he overheard attack threat
YAHOO NEWS ^
| Fri Jun 21,12:15 AM ET
| By KEN RITTER, Associated Press Writer
Posted on 06/21/2002 5:09:36 AM PDT by RaceBannon
FBI investigating Las Vegas man's claim he overheard attack threat
Fri Jun 21,12:15 AM ETBy KEN RITTER, Associated Press Writer
LAS VEGAS - The FBI ( news - web sites) said it is investigating a Nevada man's claim that he picked up a conversation in Arabic on his cell phone during which someone said there would be a "hit" on the "day of freedom."
"We've initiated a full-scale investigation to determine if this constitutes a threat, and if so, what kind of threat," said FBI Special Agent Daron Borst in Las Vegas on Thursday. Borst said agents have interviewed the man who reported the conversation, Michael Hamdan, and planned to question him again Friday.
Hamdan, 54, said he's a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Lebanon and speaks Arabic.
Hamdan said he was trying to call his wife on his cell phone Saturday when he heard Arabic voices.
"They said in Arabic, not even a word of English, 'We are in the city of corruption, the city of prostitution, the city of gambling, the city of unbelievers,'" Hamdan told The Associated Press late Thursday. '"We are going to hit them on the day of freedom.'"
Hamdan said the call lasted about 90 seconds before the line went dead. He said he believes the men were talking about July Fourth.
"I was frozen, absolutely cold," Hamdan said. "I was sweating. I couldn't believe what I heard."
Hamdan said he reported what he heard to the FBI early Sunday morning.
Hamdan, who is married and has two children, described himself as a semiretired businessman. He said he moved to the United States in 1976.
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TOPICS: Breaking News; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; US: Nevada
KEYWORDS: lasvegas; terrorism
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To: RaceBannon
Borst said agents have interviewed the man who reported the conversation, Michael HamdanI'm surprised his name has been released. If I were him, I don't think I'd be very comfortable with that, considering the circumstances. Strange, imho.
To: Vermont Lt
Vermont, I agree with you. There is something very unsettling about all these reports all over the country about these strange but documented activities by ME men . . . photographing a water plant here . . . casing a ferry route there . . . trying to buy kayaks . . . used ambulances . . . specialized scuba gear . . . it is all too bizarre. As I was saying on another thread, even in the "best" of wars, the winning side loses a battle from time to time. I sense that we are about to experience that. A coordinated (even if loosely so) attack on multiple targets in multiple areas that won't simply be an event we watch on TV from the comfort of our homes. It will be something ongoing that totally erodes our sense of security for an extended period of time. I am not saying we will lose the war. I think we'll eventually kick their butts bigtime, but not every step of the way will be easy or pleasant.
Also, if the guy that called the authorities about this threat is for real, then let me be the first to thank him for his patriotic service to America, putting himself and his family at risk for the greater good.
To: LandofLincoln
I thought that the mob was basically out of Vegas...don't big corporations own most of the major hotels now?
To: RaceBannon
>>>>'We are in the city of corruption, the city of prostitution, the city of gambling, the city of unbelievers,'" <<<<<
Some religion that club follows! The guys who hijacked the jets on 9/11 were believed to have gotten "lappers" at various strip clubs. Now they talk over the phone and deliver this jive!
Comment #45 Removed by Moderator
Comment #46 Removed by Moderator
To: RaceBannon
"They said in Arabic, not even a word of English, 'We are in the city of corruption, the city of prostitution, the city of gambling, the city of unbelievers,'"... 100% percent true. As evidence, please visit these sites:
Hard Rock Cafe PoolCam #2
Pink Taco Cam
In a nutshell, these sites feature webcam viewports onto bar-side pools inhabited by big-breasted women in skimpy bathing suits fawning over shirtless, obese businessmen in straw hats at the Hard Rock Cafe, Las Vegas, and a peek into the bar at the nearby nearby Pink Taco restaurant, which incidently seems to host a fair share of swarthy, suspicious-looking Arab types eyeing the usual parade of lush housewives and "women of the evening".
47
posted on
06/21/2002 7:42:36 AM PDT
by
crypt2k
To: okkev68
I am betting on fairly coordinated suicide bombings or shooting attempts in several cities at once. And there is no other day like the 4th were large groups of people are gathered together all across the country. We had 40 terrorists land on West Coast. How would they communicate? Stolen cells. How far away is LV from LA? Not far at all. How plausible is your scenario? Unfortunatley, very.
CNN, Drudge pick up on this cell story.
48
posted on
06/21/2002 7:44:55 AM PDT
by
Nexus
To: VA Advogado
No, much simpler than that: Two guys are talking and one of their phones dials this guy by mistake. Some cell phones have very good automatic gain control, so if they go off hook by accident, they will pick up conversations within 10 feet or so. All it took was accidentally dialing the phone. Usually a phone will dial a number in its internal address book or a recently dialed number - that is why I think - if this guy isn't making the whole thing up - that there is probably a more direct link between him and one of these people speaking about a terror attack.
Once I listened to a friend of mine take his kids through a drive-through at McD's because his phone dialed mine. It was probably bumping around in his truck's center console. Just recently someone called me and my phone answered while in my pocket. They heard me shopping at an Ikea for a few minutes before realizing I did not know the phone was off hook. It was in my pocket and I had forgotten to lock the keyboard.
49
posted on
06/21/2002 7:44:56 AM PDT
by
eno_
To: georgebennet
Ahem, more than I need to to george...yikes
To: okkev68
I think it will be several big shopping malls across the country at one time. It would terrify people and definitely hurt the economy.
51
posted on
06/21/2002 7:47:37 AM PDT
by
TracyPA
To: All
Viewing suggestion on Pool Cam #2: move the zoom slider to 10 or greater for best results.
52
posted on
06/21/2002 7:47:41 AM PDT
by
crypt2k
To: georgebennet
Ahem, more than I need to to george...yikes Ahem, more than I need to
to know george...yikes
Oops.
Comment #54 Removed by Moderator
To: kezekiel
55
posted on
06/21/2002 7:52:32 AM PDT
by
texson66
To: okkev68; Poohbah
In all my years of having a cell phone, I have never picked up someone elses conversation. I have had static and lost connections, but never a cross link. Now my cordless phone is a different story. I was about to say the same thing .. This story doesn't pass the smell test
56
posted on
06/21/2002 7:53:11 AM PDT
by
Mo1
To: Born in a Rage
I thought that the mob was basically out of Vegas...don't big corporations own most of the major hotels now?Oh the mob is still there alright. They just like to keep a low profile. And, yes, big corporations do own most of the major hotels. As to where the mob is.... Hint: Look at who the mayor is.
To: sandyeggo
Having said that, has anyone ever stood on the street outside Treasure Island to watch the show? I once stayed in the Treasure Island and at 3:00 am played blackjack with GOP bad girl Shannon Doherty. My best celebrity sighting ever.
To: RaceBannon
If this is credible, then why is it being broadcast rather than quietly investigated? I would think catching terrorists would be more of a priority than issuing another vague, worthless warning.
Information is the greatest asset and liability in this type of game. I am sure thankful the Democrats have cut the achille's tendon of all our LE and intelligence services.
To: sandyeggo
Having said that, has anyone ever stood on the street outside Treasure Island to watch the show? I once stayed in the Treasure Island and at 3:00 am played blackjack with GOP bad girl Shannon Doherty. My best celebrity sighting ever.
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