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AMRITSAR: In a breakthrough in the investigation into the nationwide hoax bomb threat emails sent to schools and sensitive establishments over the past several months, the police have arrested a man allegedly linked to a wider interstate and cross-border cyber network involved in circulating threatening emails anonymously.
The arrest, made by the police, is believed to be the first breakthrough in the bomb threat email racket that had triggered panic and repeated security alerts across several Indian states.
Accused identified as Bengal-based graphic designer
The arrested accused has been identified as alias Michael (30), a graphic designer residing in.
According to police officials, Biswas originally hailed from and had allegedly entered India illegally several years ago.
Investigators said the accused was part of an online ecosystem engaged in procuring and selling email accounts that were later used to circulate anonymous bomb threat emails targeting schools and other establishments.
Gmail accounts allegedly sold through encrypted platforms
said the accused allegedly operated through Facebook groups and encrypted digital platforms to buy and sell email credentials.
Police investigations revealed that nearly 300 Gmail accounts had allegedly been procured from unidentified persons and subsequently resold by the accused.
According to Bhullar, around 219 Gmail accounts were allegedly sold to a Bangladesh-based individual via WhatsApp, with payments routed in USDT.
“The probe further revealed that several of these accounts were later supplied to Pakistan-based unidentified persons allegedly involved in sending bomb threat emails and carrying out other unlawful cyber activities,” Bhullar said.
Four FIRs have already registered.
Police said Biswas has been named in four FIRs registered earlier this year under various provisions related to criminal conspiracy, cyber offences, and criminal intimidation.
Officials said the threatening emails were allegedly intended to create public panic, disrupt normal functioning and pose threats to national security.
Cyber tracking led to an arrest.
The investigation, carried out by the Cyber Crime Police Station, reportedly involved extensive digital tracking, technical surveillance, and cyber forensic analysis, eventually leading investigators to the accused.
During the operation, police recovered:
- Three CPUs
- Five computer hard disks
- Three mobile phones
- One internet router
- More than 300 Gmail IDs along with passwords and recovery details
- Fifteen Hotmail accounts
Officials believe the recovered digital evidence could help investigators trace the wider network involved in generating and circulating anonymous threat emails.
Interpol assistance sought
Punjab Police officials said assistance has been sought to trace alleged accomplices operating from Bangladesh.
The accused has also reportedly been nominated in a similar case linked to threatening emails.
Schools continue receiving threat emails.
Significantly, the arrest comes even as several private and government schools across parts of the country again received threatening emails on Thursday, prompting fresh security checks and precautionary measures by local police authorities.
Over the past several months, numerous schools, airports, hospitals and government institutions across India have received anonymous bomb threat emails, many of which later turned out to be hoaxes. However, the repeated incidents have caused widespread disruption, panic among parents and students and large-scale deployment of security agencies.
Probe now focused on larger cross-border network.
Investigators now believe the case may involve a much wider cybercrime and cross-border digital network using fake or anonymously created email accounts for unlawful activities.
Police officials said the investigation would now focus on identifying handlers, financiers and foreign-based operators allegedly involved in the network.
The case has also raised serious concerns about cybersecurity vulnerabilities, the misuse of anonymous digital identities, and the growing role of encrypted online platforms in facilitating cross-border criminal activities.
