POST FALLS - Two Post Falls businesses received threatening phone calls on Thursday afternoon that police believe were made by the same man and a hoax in both cases.

The suspect has not been identified. Post Falls Police and the FBI are investigating the case.

Post Falls Police Capt. Pat Knight said the man called the 7-Eleven convenience store and gas station at Seltice Way and Idaho Street at 1:10 p.m.

"The caller spoke to an employee and threatened to blow up gas pumps if he did not get Green Dot cards in exchange for money," Knight said. "The employee hung up on the man and went back to work."

Green Dot cards are a new money-moving method for scammers. Using phony government loans as a front for an advance fee scam, scammers issue bogus grant checks, then tell victims they must pay a fee by reloading their debit cards.

Then, at 1:17 p.m., the man called Walgreens at the same intersection, and told an employee that he has two men down the street with AK-47 assault rifles and strategically-placed bombs around the store if they would not give him Green Dot cards.

"Walgreens called us while they were on the phone with the guy and our officers spoke with him," Knight said. "He didn't know he was speaking with officers. We obviously believe it was a hoax and had no reason to believe he would fulfill on the threats. He was just trying to get someone hook, line and sinker to send him money. He appeared to be out of control and was swearing."

Knight said the calls were made from a man who appeared to have a Middle Eastern accent and claimed his name was "Bob." The calls were made from a phone with a Florida area code - (904) 365-8964.

Knight said police weren't notified about the call to 7-Eleven until about 45 minutes after it was made.

The businesses were not evacuated, but police searched the stores with employees and the areas were deemed safe. Officers checked the security of local banks and businesses until it was determined that the calls were not an attempt to lure officers away from another target area.

"We're working to track down more information to determine who the suspect is," Knight said.