New Delhi — A hacker who gained access to the WhatsApp account of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Sambit Patra is reportedly demanding a payment of Rs 55,000 from the politician’s contacts, according to a report by NDTV.
Patra, who serves as a senior party strategist, learned of the breach after several of his acquaintances received messages from an unknown number claiming to represent him and requesting the sum. The messages, sent via WhatsApp, asked recipients to transfer the money to a specified bank account, alleging that the funds were needed for an “urgent personal matter.”
The incident follows similar reports from other Indian public figures. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule and actress Swara Bhasker have also disclosed that their WhatsApp accounts were compromised in recent weeks, prompting concerns about the security of the popular messaging platform among high‑profile users.
WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, has previously warned users about phishing scams that exploit the app’s verification process. The company advises individuals to verify the authenticity of any financial request and to enable two‑step verification to reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
Patra has not publicly commented on the episode, and no police complaint has been confirmed. Law enforcement agencies in India have been urged to investigate the matter, though no arrests have been reported.
Analysis: The recurrence of WhatsApp compromises among politicians and celebrities highlights the vulnerability of even well‑known individuals to social‑engineering attacks. Fraudsters often exploit the trust inherent in personal contacts, leveraging the perceived legitimacy of a known name to extract money. While WhatsApp’s end‑to‑end encryption protects message content, it does not prevent account takeovers that occur when attackers obtain the victim’s verification code, typically through phishing or SIM‑swap tactics.
The pattern of incidents may pressure Meta to strengthen its verification mechanisms, especially for users with large public followings. For Indian officials, the episode underscores the need for stricter digital hygiene protocols, such as regularly updating passwords, using two‑factor authentication, and educating staff about phishing vectors.
Given the political sensitivities, any perception that a senior party figure’s contacts were targeted for extortion could have broader ramifications for public trust in digital communications. Authorities’ response and any subsequent legal outcomes will likely shape how Indian public figures safeguard their online identities moving forward.
Sources
– NDTV, “Sambit Patra’s WhatsApp hacked, fraudsters seek Rs 55,000 from his contacts,” https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sambit-patras-whatsapp-hacked-fraudsters-seek-rs-55-000-from-his-contacts-11729868.
Story synopsis gathered from: NDTV – India News — source
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