WhatsApp Hacked – Journalist Falls Victim to Scam, Shares Experience
Journalist Scammed Through Hacked Account of Fellow Journalist
On May 21, 2026, Indian journalist Ajit Anjum fell victim to a sophisticated cyber scam perpetrated through the hacked account of fellow journalist Prabhakar Mani Tiwari.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of individuals, including those in high-risk professions, to social engineering attacks.
The Scheme
The scheme began when Anjum received a message from Tiwari’s account claiming that his UPI (Unified Payments Interface) had been blocked.
The message requested that Anjum send money via QR codes to resolve the issue.
However, this was a ruse orchestrated by cybercriminals who had gained unauthorized access to Tiwari’s account.
The Consequences
Over a period of six transactions, Anjum instructed his cameraman to transfer a total of approximately Rs. 11,000 to various QR codes provided by the attackers.
It wasn’t until the sixth transaction that suspicions were raised, and Anjum contacted Tiwari directly to verify the legitimacy of the requests.
Upon speaking with Tiwari, Anjum discovered that his colleague’s account had indeed been compromised, and multiple individuals had been targeted in a similar manner.
This incident serves as a stark reminder that even the most alert and experienced professionals can fall prey to these types of scams.
Cybersecurity Experts Weigh In
Cyber experts emphasize that the primary defense against these attacks is vigilance and verification.
If someone requests money via social media or any other platform, it is essential to first confirm whether their account has been compromised.
Prior to sending money, a direct phone or video call should be made to verify the individual’s identity.
This simple yet crucial step can prevent significant financial losses and protect against the devastating consequences of being scammed.
A Call to Action
As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, it is becoming increasingly clear that anyone can be a target.
Therefore, it is imperative to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to safeguard against these types of attacks.
By doing so, we can reduce the risk of falling victim to these scams and protect ourselves, our families, and our communities from financial loss and emotional distress.