Pakistan-Linked VPN Used In Rs 20 Crore Threat To Rohit Shetty; Crime Branch Suspects Hoax, Forensic Probe Underway

Mumbai Crime Branch has uncovered a crucial lead in the investigation into the Rs 20 crore extortion threat sent to filmmaker Rohit Shetty. According to investigators, the threatening voice message was routed through a Pakistan-linked Virtual Private Network (VPN), apparently to hide the sender’s identity and mislead investigators.Officials said the use of a private VPN has made it difficult to trace the exact location from where the message was sent. However, the investigation so far suggests that the audio may have been recorded somewhere in India and later transmitted using a Pakistan-based VPN to create the impression that it originated from outside the country.Crime Branch sources said that, at this stage, the case appears more like a hoax

or a mischief attempt rather than the work of an organised extortion syndicate. However, investigators have not ruled out any angle and are continuing to examine every possible lead.The threatening audio message has been sent to the forensic laboratory for a detailed voice analysis. Police are also matching the voice sample with that of alleged gangster associate Shubham Lonkar, who is believed to have links with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Officials stressed that no final conclusion will be drawn until the forensic voice comparison report is received.Investigators said the caller tried to make the threat appear genuine by mentioning specific details about Rohit Shetty, including his Lamborghini, his residence in Mumbai’s Juhu area, the number of security guards posted outside the house and even the colour of their uniforms.However, Crime Branch officials believe these details do not necessarily indicate insider access. According to investigators, much of this information is available on social media and other public platforms, making it possible for anyone to gather such details.Apart from the voice analysis, the Crime Branch is also examining the digital trail, including internet routing records, VPN usage and the devices used to send the message. Investigators are trying to establish whether the threat was sent by a lone individual or if others were involved in planning the act.Officials said the probe is progressing on both technical and forensic evidence, and no possibility has been ruled out.The latest threat comes months after a serious security incident outside Rohit Shetty’s residence. In February this year, shooters allegedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang had opened fire outside the filmmaker’s Juhu home. Police later arrested 15 accused in that case, and all of them have been booked under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).