BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra has warned his contacts that his WhatsApp was hacked on Sunday, with fraud messages and money requests being sent from his number. He said the activity is part of a cybercrime and urged people to avoid any transfers.
Patra added that he alerted senior Odisha Police officials as soon as he learnt of the breach. According to him, legal and technical steps are underway, and people should ignore any communication from his WhatsApp until it is secured.
What happened and why it matters
Patra said misleading messages seeking funds are being sent using his number and stressed that these have no connection to him. He advised people not to trust any messages, calls, or financial requests linked to his WhatsApp until it is recovered.
He publicly stated that his number had been compromised and that he would not reach out for payments. Separately, a user shared that a message from a saved number claiming to be Patra asked for money, underscoring how quickly such impersonation can spread.
How the scam is playing out
One recipient said a request sought Rs 55,000, along with a QR code that identified the payee as Jagdish Paswan. When asked to complete the transaction in person, the sender allegedly refused and insisted on an online payment, a tactic commonly used to pressure quick transfers.
What you should do right now
If you receive any message from Patra’s number, follow these immediate steps:
– Do not send money in any form
– Avoid replying to suspicious messages or calls
– Verify requests via another trusted channel
– Report the incident to local cybercrime units
– Wait for official confirmation before engaging
Police response and next steps
Patra said he has informed senior Odisha Police officials and indicated that required legal and technical actions are progressing. His advisory is clear: do not engage with any requests from his number until it is restored to security.
People who have already received suspicious messages should preserve screenshots, avoid sharing personal data, and file complaints with authorities. This documentation helps investigators trace how the account was accessed and which channels were used to solicit funds.
Past breaches highlight wider risk
Last year, NCP (SCP) working president and Baramati MP Supriya Sule reported her WhatsApp account was hacked, with a hacker allegedly demanding $400 to restore access. She filed an online complaint with Pune Rural Police, who found her account was active on another device and restored it within a few hours.
Sule said more than 20 contacts received messages from a compromised team member’s account. Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Pankaj Deshmukh stated that only WhatsApp was affected while the phone and other apps remained intact. Sule urged users not to respond to unknown numbers and to remain vigilant, noting that the investigation would determine who was behind it.
The Patra incident follows a familiar pattern: impersonation, urgency, and pressure to pay digitally. His warning, combined with earlier cases, points to a broader need for verification, prompt reporting, and restraint when faced with sudden money requests. Authorities are now expected to trace the breach and close the vulnerabilities exposed by this attack.
