Senior BJP MP and party spokesperson Sambit Patra has reported that his WhatsApp account was compromised, with cybercriminals allegedly using his number to request money from people in his contact list. The fraudsters reportedly sought Rs 55,000 and shared a QR code for payment, prompting Patra to warn the public against responding to such messages.
Sambit Patra Says His WhatsApp Account Was Compromised
Patra announced that his WhatsApp account had been hacked and claimed that misleading messages were being sent from his number to solicit money through different methods.
In a public statement, he said:
“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 also said that senior Odisha Police officials had been informed about the incident and appealed to people not to reply to any messages or transfer money until his account is restored.
Fraudsters Asked for Rs 55,000
One of the fraudulent messages 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 Naqvi suggested handing over the money in person, the sender declined and continued insisting on an online payment, leading to suspicion that the WhatsApp account had been compromised.
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Other Public Figures Have Faced Similar Incidents
Sambit Patra is not the first well-known personality to report a hacked WhatsApp account.
NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule and actor Swara Bhasker have also publicly stated that their WhatsApp accounts were compromised. Last year, BJP leader Dinesh Chand Sharma experienced a similar incident in which fraudsters allegedly used his account to send money requests to thousands of contacts.
How to Protect Your WhatsApp Account
Enable Two-Step Verification
Go to Settings → Account → Two-step verification and create a six-digit PIN. Adding a recovery email address provides an additional layer of security, even if someone gains access to your SMS verification code.
Review Linked Devices Regularly
Check Settings → Linked Devices frequently. If you find any unfamiliar device connected to your account, log it out immediately.
Strengthen Privacy Settings
Improve your account security by enabling options 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.
Avoid Common Cyber Scams
Never share your six-digit WhatsApp verification code with anyone. Avoid clicking 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 Account Is Hacked
If you suspect your WhatsApp account has been compromised, log back into WhatsApp immediately using your phone number. This generally logs out any unauthorized session.
Inform your contacts through another communication platform or by updating your WhatsApp status so they know not to respond to any requests for money.
You should also report the incident to WhatsApp by emailing [email protected] and file a complaint through the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) or the Cyber Crime Portal.
Conclusion
Sambit Patra has urged the public to ignore any messages requesting money from his WhatsApp account after reporting that it had been hacked. The incident highlights the growing threat of cyber fraud and reinforces the importance of enabling security features and staying alert to suspicious payment requests.
