In a major breakthrough against the recent spate of bomb hoax emails that triggered panic across schools in several Indian cities, Bengaluru Police have identified and arrested the prime accused — a woman already lodged in Ahmedabad Central Jail.
Software engineer accused of orchestrating bomb hoaxes
The accused, Rene Joshilda, a software engineer by profession, has been accused of sending multiple fake bomb threat emails to educational institutions in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Chennai, and several parts of Gujarat, according to a report by NDTV.
The investigation began on June 14, when a prominent Bengaluru school received an email warning of a bomb on its premises. Alarmed by the threat, the school principal immediately alerted the police. As similar threats surfaced across other schools, the City Police Commissioner directed the North Division Cyber Crime team to consolidate all related complaints for a coordinated investigation.
Complex cyber trail leads police to Gujarat
What followed was a meticulous digital pursuit by the cybercrime team. Investigators traced the cyber footprint through a series of VPN networks, virtual mobile numbers, and encrypted messaging accounts, which eventually led them to Joshilda in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
A body warrant was obtained, and the Bengaluru Police brought the accused to the city on October 28 for interrogation. During questioning, Joshilda reportedly confessed to orchestrating the hoax emails in multiple states.
Accused used VPNs, fake numbers to hide identity
According to police officials, Joshilda leveraged her strong technical expertise to evade detection. She allegedly used VPN services, virtual mobile numbers generated via the “Gate Code” app, and several WhatsApp accounts created under false identities to mask her location and identity.
Officers believe that she deliberately engineered the hoax messages to spread panic while staying one step ahead of cyber trackers. Her methods, they said, demonstrate a high level of digital sophistication and awareness of cyber investigation loopholes.
Arrest sheds light on growing trend of coordinated hoaxes
After completing her interrogation, police returned Joshilda to Ahmedabad Central Jail on October 31, where she remains in custody. Officials revealed that her arrest has uncovered a pattern of coordinated hoaxes that may extend beyond individual acts.
Cybercrime experts say this incident highlights the growing misuse of digital tools by educated professionals for disruptive or attention-seeking motives. Authorities are now examining whether the accused acted alone or was part of a wider network spreading fake threats to institutions across India.
Coordinated efforts to curb panic and digital abuse
Following the incident, Bengaluru Police have tightened their cyber monitoring systems, increasing coordination with educational institutions to prevent recurrence. Senior officials emphasised that while all threats are taken seriously, efforts are underway to distinguish real risks from digitally fabricated panic alerts.
Police have also urged citizens and schools to remain vigilant, report suspicious messages immediately, and avoid circulating unverified claims that may amplify public fear.
As the investigation continues, the arrest of Joshilda marks a crucial step in restoring public confidence and reinforcing India’s cyber safety mechanisms against such disruptive crimes.