5 lakh fake email network spread till Pakistan busted, UP ATS arrests Ankit of Kanpur Nagar__
Under Yogi government, security agencies keep an eye on cyber network, major action in bomb threat case__Had threatened to blow up schools, Bollywood actor and Diljit Dosanjh’s show with bombs__Used to sell IDs to people sitting in other countries including Pakistan-Bangladesh, took payment in cryptocurrency__Fake email network behind bomb threats in Noida, Gurugram and Mumbai, ATS engaged in interrogation__Lucknow, 29 October._ Under Yogi government, UP ATS is continuously active to strengthen security arrangements in Uttar Pradesh and to curb anti-national activities. In this sequence, UP ATS has arrested 24-year-old Ankit Shankhwar from Kanpur Nagar in the case of creating fake email IDs and selling them to people sitting outside the country and sending threatening emails. Investigation has revealed that these email IDs were used to threaten to blow up schools and important establishments in Noida, Delhi-NCR, Gurugram and Mumbai with bombs.This case also includes the threat to target singer Diljit Dosanjh’s proposed show in Delhi-NCR with a bomb blast.
Also, there was a threat to blast a bomb at a Bollywood actor’s house. The accused used to sell fake email IDs to people sitting in Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries and used to take payment in cryptocurrency in return. ATS has recovered mobile phone and laptop from the accused. About 5 lakh email IDs were found in the laptop._Investigation of connection with people sitting in Pakistan and abroad_According to UP ATS, the accused was working on creating fake email IDs since the year 2021. He used to hide his identity using Wi-Fi and proxy networks. He was selling these IDs through groups linked to Facebook, a social media platform. Interrogation has also revealed contacts with people and groups from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Egypt and other countries. The accused’s mobile also has WhatsApp numbers from different countries and information related to large amount of USDT cryptocurrency transactions. According to ATS, the accused had provided fake email IDs to Bangladeshi citizen Alamin Islam. In return, he was paid 6 thousand USDT. The investigating agency is now engaged in finding out the role of other people associated with this network.
_Threat to schools and Diljit Dosanjh’s show_The email ID from which threatening messages were sent to schools in Noida, Delhi and Gurugram was among the fake IDs found in the accused’s laptop and mobile. In these emails, threats were given in the name of Khalistan National Army and Babbar Khalsa. It also includes threats to target Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh’s proposed programme in Delhi-NCR and a famous Bollywood actor’s house.Apart from this, another email ID used in the case of sending a bomb blast threat to the Mayor’s office in Mumbai on 23 October 2026 was also found with the accused. According to ATS, the ID related to threatening emails sent to schools and other places in Noida on 12 October has also come up in the investigation._Investigation scope increased due to finding about 5 lakh email IDs_About 5 lakh email IDs were found in the Excel files of the laptop recovered during the arrest. Along with these IDs, information related to passwords, recovery emails and two-factor authentication was also recorded.
_Payment through cryptocurrency, search for other members of network_ATS investigation revealed that the accused used to take payment through Binance crypto wallet in exchange for providing fake email IDs. Evidence of contact and payment related to Bangladeshi citizen Alamin Islam on WhatsApp has also been found. In this regard, a case has been registered under relevant sections at Lucknow ATS police station. The process of presenting the accused before the court and seeking police custody remand is underway, so that other people associated with the conspiracy can be reached.
