Mumbai police are facing an increasing challenge from fake bomb threats and hoax communications, which are draining security resources and keeping law enforcement agencies on high alert. These false alarms require extensive deployment of police personnel, bomb squads and forensic teams, even though many cases eventually turn out to be fabricated.
According to police data, the number of bomb hoaxes reported in Mumbai has shown a steady rise over the last few years. The city recorded 20 fake bomb threat cases in 2024, which increased to 25 in 2025. The threats included 12 phone calls, nine emails and four social media messages. In the first half of 2026 alone, Mumbai’s police control room received 15 such alerts, including 10 email-based threats and five calls.
Several suspects were arrested in previous cases, with investigations revealing different motives behind the threats. While some accused individuals were found to have mental health issues, others reportedly sent threatening messages while under the influence of alcohol.
Several prominent locations across Mumbai have received bomb threats in recent months, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Trident Hotel, Vidhan Bhavan, Mumbai Airport, the Mayor’s Office, Bombay Stock Exchange, RSS office, Tata Memorial Hospital, railway stations, schools and Kila Court.
Each threat triggers a detailed security response involving bomb detection and disposal squads, sniffer dog units and local police teams. Security checks at affected locations often continue for several hours, disrupting normal operations and requiring significant manpower.
Investigators are still struggling to trace the person behind a bomb threat email sent to the Mumbai Press Club on March 19. More than two months later, the sender’s identity remains unknown.
Police sources said the email was sent through a Proton Mail account and was routed using a Germany-based Virtual Private Network (VPN), creating additional hurdles for investigators. The growing use of encrypted email platforms, VPN services and digital anonymity tools has made it increasingly difficult to identify those responsible for online threats.
Cybercrime teams examine multiple digital trails, including IP records, internet service provider details and forensic evidence, to track suspects. Officials said that even a temporary VPN failure can sometimes reveal the original IP address of the sender.
When threat messages involve foreign servers, Mumbai police coordinate with central agencies and may seek assistance from Interpol through the Ministry of Home Affairs. However, investigations can face delays because some international technology companies do not always provide user information quickly.
In cases involving phone-based threats, investigators depend on call detail records, IMEI tracking, voice analysis and other technical methods to collect evidence and identify offenders.
Despite the rising number of fake threats, Mumbai police have reiterated that every warning is treated as a genuine security concern. Authorities follow strict procedures for each alert, given Mumbai’s importance as a financial hub and its history of facing terror-related challenges.
Officials say that while many threats eventually prove to be hoaxes, ignoring even a single warning could pose a serious risk. As a result, security agencies continue to respond with full precautionary measures while working to improve cyber-tracking capabilities and prevent misuse of digital platforms.
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