Mumbai : Online Gaming Connection Leads Police to Minor Behind Museum Threats

MUMBAI: In a surprising turn of events, the investigation into the recent hoax bomb threats targeting prominent museums in Mumbai has led the police to a 12-year-old student in Assam. The youngster, a avid online gamer, became unwittingly entangled in the criminal activity after an unidentified individual, with whom he was gaming, manipulated him into creating a fake email ID for sinister purposes.

Earlier this month, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya in Colaba, Nehru Science Centre in Worli, and museums in Kolkata and Karnataka had received threatening emails, prompting authorities to launch a immediate inquiry. The Mumbai police registered a First Information Report (FIR) with the Colaba police station to initiate the probe.

The breakthrough in the case came when investigators successfully traced the IP address of the laptop used to generate the threatening emails back to the young gamer in Assam. According to the police, the minor had been deceived by a online acquaintance who persuaded him to creating the incriminating email ID. The unsuspecting child, driven by a love for online gaming, complied with the request and shared the email ID's password with the mysterious individual.

Upon questioning, the minor revealed that he had no suspicions about the ulterior motives behind creating the email ID. It became apparent that the same email account, allegedly crafted under the influence of the deceptive gamer, was later exploited to dispatch the hoax bomb threats to multiple museums.

This unexpected twist in the investigation highlights the growing concerns surrounding online interactions and the vulnerability of young individuals to manipulation. The police are now focused on unraveling the identity of the elusive individual who misled the 12-year-old into becoming a unwitting accomplice in the alarming threats that rattled museums across different cities.

As authorities delve more deeply into the case, questions arise about the need for increased awareness regarding online safety and the potential risks associated with virtual interactions, especially for minors who may inadvertently find themselves ensnared in criminal activities orchestrated by individuals with malicious intent.

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