Pune: VPN Usage Complicates Investigation of Bomb Threats to Pimpri-Chinchwad Hospitals as Police Seek Google’s Assistance

Reported By Varad Bhatkhande

Pimpri Chinchwad, 21st August 2024: It has been revealed that the individual who sent bomb threat emails to three hospitals in Pimpri Chinchwad used a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to conceal their identity and location. This modern technology has posed challenges for officials at the Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissionerate (PCPC) in tracking down the sender. To identify the person responsible for these chaos-inducing emails, the PCPC has sought assistance from Google LLC.

On Sunday, 18th August, at around 6:15 PM, an email sent to Dhanwantari Hospital in Nigdi, Medicover Hospital in Bhosari, and Morya Hospital in Chinchwad created a sense of fear, prompting the hospitals to rush to the police administration and demand ‘Raksha’ from the alleged bomb threat. The Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) investigated all the hospitals and determined that the warning was a hoax.

In the email warning the hospitals about the bomb, the name of a terrorist organization was mentioned, which increased the credibility and fear associated with the threat. The email stated: “Hi. I placed bombs in the hospital building. The bombs are hidden under hospital beds and in bathrooms. Every person inside the building will be killed or will lose limbs. None of you will escape. You will all end up in a pool of blood; you all deserve nothing but death. The terrorists ‘Ching and Cultist’ are behind this MASSACRE.”

The entire incident has been reported to the Pimpri Chinchwad Police. Sudhir Rangrao Patil, a 71-year-old resident of Nigdi, has lodged a complaint at the Nigdi Police Station. A case has been registered under the Indian Penal Code Sections 353 (statements conducing to public mischief) and 351 (criminal intimidation) against the unknown holder of the email ID “[email protected].” Assistant Police Inspector Ambarish Deshmukh from Nigdi Police Station is investigating the matter further.

PCPC Asks Google to Trace Threat Emails

As these incidents are becoming increasingly frequent, the PCPC has sought assistance from Google to address them. Investigating Officer API Deshmukh told Punekar News that the email address involved has a Gmail domain, which is why help from Google is being requested. The primary goal is to obtain the IP address of the device used to send the email. Once the IP address is obtained, the police can seek further assistance from service provider companies. IO Deshmukh also mentioned that they aim to arrest the accused as soon as possible.

What Is a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a service that creates a secure, encrypted connection over a less secure network, such as the Internet. VPNs protect privacy by masking IP addresses, encrypting data, and allowing safe access to restricted content. However, VPNs can also facilitate illegal activities by hiding users’ identities, bypassing geo-restrictions, and accessing prohibited content, potentially encouraging misuse. They obscure users’ IP addresses and encrypt their activities, making it difficult for law enforcement to trace and identify them. It has become clear that the individual who sent bomb threat emails to hospitals in Pimpri Chinchwad used a VPN to hide their identity and location, complicating the Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissionerate’s efforts to track and detain them.