Wipro steps up security after threat of bioweapon attack

Unidentified man sends a threat mail to Wipro, demanding Rs 500 crore The man threatened to send 2 grams of the toxic material to prove that he is not faking

IT giant Wipro confirmed on Saturday that it has received a threat mail from an unidentified individual who has demanded Rs 500 crore in exchange for the lives of its employees. The mail has also threatened to release a bioweapon in the firm's campus if the payment was not made. After filing a complaint with the police, the company has also beefed up the security in its campus.

According to a statement by the company, their office in Sarjapur received an email from Ramesh2@protonmail.com on Friday morning, demanding a ransom of Rs 500 crore in bitcoins. Otherwise, the sender threatened to release a toxic protein drug called Richin in the campus if the payment is not made by May 25 through a certain link.

The person also claimed that he had a kg of the toxic substance and he would send 2 grams in envelopes to one of the Wipro offices in the coming days to prove that he is not faking. 

Speaking to the New Indian Express, DCP (Crime) Anand Kumar said, "We are investigating the case. We have tracked the IP address. We are looking into the possible involvement of insiders or ex-employees of Wipro. This has been done to scare the employees."

The company, meanswhile, issued a statement: "Wipro confirms that it has filed a complaint with the local law enforcement authorities after receiving a threatening letter from an unidentified source. Wipro has augmented security measures at all its office locations.”