In a concerning cyber security incident, the WhatsApp account of Prafull Kumar Bharat, the Advocate General of the High Court, was hacked. Scammers, exploiting the hacked account, contacted his acquaintances and fellow lawyers, requesting money under false pretenses. The scam came to light after lawyers began receiving suspicious messages asking for financial aid, supposedly from Bharat himself.
Acting swiftly, Bharat filed a complaint at the Chakarbhata police station. The police have initiated an investigation under various sections of the IT Act and the Indian Penal Code, reflecting the serious nature of the offense. As a precautionary measure, the WhatsApp account has been deactivated to prevent further misuse. Authorities are using technical expertise to trace the culprits, highlighting the ongoing challenges of cybercrime within the legal community.
The incident underscores the need for heightened vigilance regarding electronic communications, especially concerning requests for money transfers. Authorities urge the public to verify the authenticity of such requests before proceeding with any transactions to avoid falling victim to similar scams.