Bangladeshi National Arrested in Gurgaon for Bomb Hoax Emails to Schools
A 30-year-old Bangladeshi national has been apprehended by Gurgaon police in connection with a series of bomb hoax emails that targeted approximately 40 schools in January. The incident triggered widespread panic, forced evacuations, and led to extensive security checks across the city.
Arrest and Investigation Details
The accused, identified as Saurabh Vishwas, also known as Michael, was detained from Ahmedabad on Thursday following a technical investigation by the Cyber South police station. Authorities traced his involvement in generating email accounts that were allegedly used to send the threatening messages.
Police reports indicate that Vishwas entered India around nine years ago from Khulna, Bangladesh, via an illegal route. He resided in West Bengal using forged identity documents, initially taking on odd jobs in Barrackpore before acquiring skills in digital marketing and graphic design at local printing shops.
Email Threats and Financial Motives
Over the past five years, Vishwas has worked as a freelance designer and was engaged in creating bulk email IDs. According to ACP (cybercrime) Priyanshu Dewan, he generated and shared nearly 300 Gmail accounts with another Bangladeshi national, Mamunur Rashid, who is suspected to be operating from Dhaka. Some of these accounts were allegedly utilized to dispatch the hoax emails.
Investigators revealed that Vishwas was in contact with Rashid through a Facebook group and supplied the email IDs in exchange for cryptocurrency payments. He is believed to have received approximately 250 USDT, equivalent to around Rs 23,000, for his services.
Impact and Broader Conspiracy
The emails sent on January 28 were part of a larger conspiracy aimed at instilling fear and unrest. The messages, directed at multiple schools in Gurgaon, prompted immediate evacuations and thorough searches by bomb squads, although no explosives were discovered.
Police noted that the emails followed a specific pattern, referencing the chief minister and including demands linked to pro-Khalistan messaging. "The intent was to create panic by targeting soft locations like schools," stated ACP Dewan, emphasizing the malicious nature of the threats.
Document Fraud and Ongoing Probe
During his stay in India, Vishwas managed to obtain various official documents, including an Aadhaar card, voter ID, PAN card, and a driving licence. Authorities are now coordinating with West Bengal Police to investigate how these forged documents were procured.
The investigation remains ongoing, with a focus on identifying the wider network involved, including Rashid's role and potential links to similar incidents reported in other states. While Vishwas has no known prior criminal record, multiple FIRs have been registered elsewhere in connection with hoax threats.
Recent Similar Incidents
This arrest follows similar hoax bomb threats in March, when several schools received threats sent from foreign servers, again leading to evacuations and intensive checks. Police attributed those threats to an entity known as 'Giang Do'. "These investigations are complex as multiple IP addresses and VPNs are used, but we are working on technical leads and expect breakthroughs," added Dewan.
The case highlights the growing challenges in cybercrime and the need for enhanced vigilance in protecting educational institutions from such disruptive threats.
