Bengaluru: Three foreign consulates in Bengaluru received hoax bomb threat emails last week, triggering security checks and police investigations. City police said two of the threatening emails originated from the same suspicious email ID, and multiple FIRs have been registered in connection with the incidents.

According to police, the Japanese and Netherlands consulates received threat emails on January 29, while the Italian consulate received a similar message on January 30. Security was immediately tightened at all three locations and anti-sabotage checks were conducted. No explosives or suspicious objects were found.

Two of the registered cases have now been transferred to the CEN North Police Station, where a nodal officer is supervising the cyber and technical investigation.

Japanese consulate received early morning threat

Bengaluru police said the first complaint was filed by Hoshino Shingo, security officer at the Consulate-General of Japan, located in the Prestige Nebula Building on Cubbon Road.

As per the FIR, the consulate received a threatening email at 5.32 am on January 29 from the email ID [email protected]. The message warned of a bomb and called for evacuation of the premises.

Based on the complaint, Vidhana Soudha police initially registered a non-cognisable report. After obtaining permission from the 41st Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, a formal FIR was registered under Sections 351(4) and 353(1)(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to criminal intimidation and public mischief.

Netherlands consulate also targeted

On the same day, the Netherlands consulate in Bengaluru also received a bomb threat email. The message warned of an explosion involving “5 RDX and an IED,” prompting immediate alert measures.

Following the threat, embassy officer Bhaskar Subrahmani filed a complaint at the R T Nagar police station, where a separate FIR was registered. Police teams conducted precautionary searches and security sweeps around the consulate premises.

Officials said standard operating procedures were followed, including access control, perimeter checks, and coordination with bomb detection squads.

Italian consulate got threat from same email ID

Bengaluru police said a similar threat email was sent to the Italian consulate on Richmond Road at 5.25 am on January 30. This message was addressed to the consulate’s visa and consular departments and warned of a blast at a specified time.

The message read: “5 RDX to blast in Italy Consulate, Bengaluru at 1 PM. Evacuate diplomats by 10 AM!”

A complaint was filed by security officer Cosimo Ciciriello, and an FIR was registered at the Ulsoor police station.

Investigators noted that the Italian and Japanese consulates received emails from the same suspicious email ID, indicating a possible single source behind at least two of the threats.

CEN North police lead cyber probe

With a suspected digital trail involved, two of the cases have been handed over to the City CEN (Cyber, Economic and Narcotics) North division for deeper technical investigation.

Police are working to trace the origin, IP address, routing details, and device signatures linked to the threatening emails. Requests are also expected to be sent to the email service provider and relevant intermediaries for account and login data.

Preliminary assessment suggests the emails were hoax threats intended to create panic rather than credible terror alerts, though officials said every such threat is treated seriously until verified.

Security tightened at diplomatic missions

Following the threats, security was temporarily increased at the affected consulates, with additional patrols and verification checks. Coordination was maintained with diplomatic security staff and central agencies where required.

Police reiterated that issuing bomb threats — even as a prank — is a serious criminal offence that can attract strict legal action under multiple provisions related to intimidation, public mischief, and disruption of essential services.

Conclusion

While the threats to the three Bengaluru consulates are believed to be hoaxes, the incidents have prompted a coordinated cyber and security investigation. Authorities are continuing efforts to identify and apprehend the sender, even as enhanced vigilance remains in place around key diplomatic establishments.