New Delhi:
Senior BJP MP and party spokesperson Sambit Patra has said his WhatsApp account was compromised, with hackers allegedly sending messages from his number seeking money from people in his contact list.
One such message was received by NDTV’s Ali Abbas Naqvi. The sender requested Rs 55,000 and later shared a QR code linked to a person identified as Jagdish Paswan. When asked to collect the money in person instead, the sender refused and continued insisting on an online transfer, raising suspicion that the account had been compromised.
Patra later confirmed the incident in a post on X.
मेरा WhatsApp नंबर हैक हो गया है।
WhatsApp हैक होने के बाद मेरे नंबर से लोगों को भ्रामक संदेश भेजे जा रहे हैं तथा विभिन्न माध्यमों से पैसों की मांग की जा रही है। कृपया ध्यान दें कि इस प्रकार के सभी संदेश पूर्णतः फर्जी एवं साइबर अपराध का हिस्सा हैं। उनका मुझसे कोई संबंध नहीं है।…
— Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) July 5, 2026
“My WhatsApp number has been hacked. After WhatsApp was hacked, people are being sent misleading messages from my number and money is being demanded through various means. Please note that all such messages are completely fake and part of cybercrime. They have nothing to do with me,” he wrote. He added that he had informed senior Odisha Police officials and urged people not to respond to messages or send money until his account is restored.
Patra is not the first public figure to face such an incident. NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule and actor Swara Bhasker have also publicly reported their WhatsApp accounts being compromised. Last year, BJP leader Dinesh Chand Sharma’s account was similarly compromised, with fraudsters allegedly sending messages to thousands of contacts seeking money.
My what’s app has possibly been hacked. If anyone who is in my contacts / or not receives a message from me asking to share any code or OTP or money or anything please DO NOT REPLY. Block that number. Trying to figure out what this is about.
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) September 19, 2024
How To Protect Your WhatsApp Account
Turn on two-step verification by going to Settings — Account — Two-step verification. Set a six-digit PIN and add a recovery email address. This provides an additional layer of security even if someone obtains your SMS verification code.
Regularly check Settings — Linked Devices. If you notice any unfamiliar device, log it out immediately.
Strengthen your privacy settings by enabling features such as blocking messages from unknown accounts, protecting your IP address during calls and using Chat Lock or App Lock with fingerprint or Face ID.
Never share your six-digit WhatsApp verification code with anyone, regardless of who they claim to be. Avoid clicking on unknown links, scanning suspicious QR codes or opening files from unverified sources. Use only the official WhatsApp application downloaded from trusted app stores, keep both the app and your phone updated, and avoid modified versions such as GB WhatsApp or FM WhatsApp.
What To Do If Your WhatsApp Is Compromised
If you believe your WhatsApp account has been compromised, immediately log back into WhatsApp using your phone number. This usually logs out any unauthorised session.
Inform your contacts through another communication channel or your WhatsApp status that your account has been compromised and ask them not to respond to any requests for money.
You should also report the incident to WhatsApp by emailing support@whatsapp.com and lodge a complaint through the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) or the Cyber Crime Portal.
