WhatsApp number of OCAC CEO hacked

0

Bhubaneswar: In a shock revelation it was found that chief executive officer (CEO) of Odisha Computer Application centre (OCAC) and additional secretary of the state electronics and information technology (E&IT) department Manoj Kumar Pattnaik has become a victim of cyber fraud and impersonation.

Reportedly, an unidentified cyber-criminal has allegedly hacked his WhatsApp number and demanded money from Pattnaik’s contacts. The hacker impersonated him as Pattnaik and sent distress messages to his close contacts following which they transferred money to the bank and UPI accounts shared by the fraudster.

As many as rupees seven lakh have been received to the accounts of cyber-criminal, added reports.

The victim Manoj Pattnaik has lodged a complaint with Saheed Nagar police station and also said that his contacts with fell in prey of the phishing messages, have already lodged complaints.

Pattnaik has stated that he received an unknown call on his WhatsApp on Tuesday afternoon. But as the caller did not utter a word, he hung up the phone after around 30 seconds. Later that day, he realised that his WhatsApp account has been hacked after his contacts, who had sent the huge amount of cash, asked him regarding his health and said him about the money transfer.

Howeever, he has denied to have clicked any malicious link sent by the accused. Pattnaik was unable to reinstall his WhatsApp on the same number as the cyber criminals might have tampered with his profile’s authentication system.

Meanwhile, the E&IT Department, Odisha has started alerting people against cyber fraud, involving phishing WhatsApp calls and messages. “The department has issued an advisory on WhatsApp phishing. Hackers target victims via WhatsApp voice call or suspicious link on social media, SMS, WhatsApp. By adopting proper precautionary measures, hackers can be kept at bay without uninstalling the App,” the department tweeted.

Also read: Gang Of Online Frauds Arrested By Twin City Commissionerate Police

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.