BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra says his WhatsApp account has been hacked, and scammers are sending messages to people in his contacts. Patra has warned that the messages are fraudulent and has asked the public to ignore any requests coming from his number. According to reports, the scammers demand money from his contacts, with NDTV citing a demand of ₹55,000. Patra has alerted authorities about the incident.
The reports also place the case in a wider pattern of similar cyber fraud targeting public figures. Times of India notes that NCP (SCP) MP Supriya Sule faced a comparable hack last year, with her account compromised and ransom demanded. NDTV adds that other well-known individuals, including actor Swara Bhasker, have previously reported that their WhatsApp accounts were compromised.
Across sources, the emphasis is on caution and verification, as hacked accounts are used to contact friends, colleagues, or followers with financial or urgent requests. Authorities are expected to investigate the matter and the claims around the demands made to contacts.
