Tech-Savvy Bengaluru Woman Behind India-Wide Bomb Hoax Nabbed After VPN Blunder

In an astonishing case that reads more like a gripping web series than real life, a 30-year-old robotics engineer from Chennai allegedly sparked nationwide panic by sending hoax bomb threats to multiple locations-driven by unreciprocated love and a desire for revenge.

Identified as Rene Joshilda, the woman had been operating under the radar for months. Using multiple VPN services and fake email IDs, she stayed ahead of police teams in 11 states as they scrambled to trace the source of the threats. Her digital smokescreen held strong-until one slip-up revealed her identity.

The Hoax That Shook 11 States

On June 20, 2025, a series of bomb threat emails were sent to airports and public places across cities including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. The messages warned of imminent explosions, triggering large-scale evacuations, sweeping security checks, and public panic.

The scale and coordination of the hoax prompted an urgent multi-state cyber investigation. However, initial efforts failed to locate the perpetrator due to layers of digital obfuscation.

How She Was Caught

Cybercrime teams eventually traced the source to a woman techie living in Bengaluru. She had been using fake email addresses created in the name of her former love interest-who had recently married someone else-in an apparent attempt to frame him.

Investigators uncovered a complex digital trail involving anonymizing software and VPNs, which had initially concealed her IP address and location. But her cover unraveled after she mistakenly accessed one of her personal, unprotected email accounts via her office network. This lone digital footprint led police directly to her.

Motivation Rooted in Obsession

During questioning, Joshilda confessed to orchestrating the bomb hoax as part of a desperate plan to force her former colleague to speak to her. She believed that if she created chaos using his name and appeared as the one "saving" him, he would be compelled to engage with her.

Her plan was meticulous but flawed. Investigators noted that the woman was technologically savvy but emotionally unstable, and her actions were fueled by obsession and heartbreak.

Legal Action and Warnings

She has since been arrested and booked under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including criminal intimidation, public mischief, and misuse of technology.

Authorities have stressed the gravity of such hoaxes, which not only trigger mass panic but also tie up critical security and emergency response resources. They reiterated that any form of bomb threat-regardless of motive-is treated as a serious offense with severe consequences.

The Bigger Picture

This case stands as a stark reminder that even the most careful digital offenders can leave behind critical clues. It also illustrates how emotional obsession, when combined with technical knowledge, can evolve into a dangerous combination.

In the end, despite months of calculated anonymity using VPNs and fake identities, one wrong login was all it took to bring a nationwide cyber hoax to an end.