17 July,2026 06:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shaina NC also alerted her friends, colleagues and supporters through a social media post. File Pic
Shiv Sena National Secretary and spokesperson Shaina NC has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) with the Mumbai Cyber Police after fraudsters allegedly hacked her WhatsApp account and used it to seek money from her contacts, reported the IANS.
According to Shaina NC, the account was compromised on Thursday, with fraudulent messages sent to friends, colleagues and well-wishers requesting urgent financial assistance.
The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena leader also alerted her friends, colleagues and supporters through a social media post.
"My WhatsApp has been hacked. If you receive any messages from my number asking for financial help or money transfers, please ignore them completely it is not me. Do not respond to any messages, click any links, or transfer any funds coming from my number right now," Shaina NC wrote on X.
The messages reportedly claimed that the borrowed money would be repaid within a short period, encouraging recipients to transfer funds.
Some people are believed to have suffered financial losses after trusting that the messages had been sent by Shaina NC.
Describing the incident as a case of cyber fraud and identity theft, she said the misuse of her account highlighted the growing threat posed by online scams, according to the IANS.
After discovering the breach, Shaina NC and her office alerted her contacts, advising them not to respond to any financial requests sent from her WhatsApp account.
She also filed a formal complaint with the Mumbai Cyber Police.
Shaina NC appealed to the public to remain cautious when receiving requests for money through messaging applications, reported the PTI.
She advised people to verify financial requests independently, even if they appear to come from trusted contacts, and to report suspicious online activity to the nearest police station or cyber crime cell.
She added that stronger action against cybercriminals was necessary to improve public confidence in digital platforms.
The Mumbai Cyber Police have begun investigating the incident and are tracing the digital trail of those behind the alleged hack, as per the IANS.
(with IANS inputs)
