Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide's WhatsApp account has reportedly been hacked, with cyber fraudsters allegedly using her identity to contact people and solicit money.
Bhide informed the public about the incident through a post on X after noticing that her WhatsApp account had been compromised.
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She cautioned people against responding to messages or calls made from the hacked account in her name and urged them not to transfer money or extend any form of assistance based on such requests.
“My WhatsApp account has been hacked. Kindly ignore any messages especially the ones seeking help and demanding money from my account” She wrote on X.
My WhatsApp account has been hacked. Kindly ignore any messages especially the ones seeking help and demanding money from my account.
— Ashwini Bhide (@AshwiniBhide) August 22, 2026
The incident reflects the growing risk of WhatsApp account takeovers, which are increasingly being used by cybercriminals to impersonate individuals and defraud their contacts.
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Once an account is compromised, fraudsters can use the victim's identity and contact list to make seemingly credible requests for financial assistance.
The warning is intended to prevent people from falling victim to impersonation scams, while underscoring the importance of independently verifying unexpected requests for money through another channel of communication.
The incident comes amid a rise in reports of WhatsApp accounts being compromised by cyber fraudsters.
Recently, actor Vanita Kharat, known for her association with Maharashtra's entertainment industry, also reported that her WhatsApp account had been hacked. Kharat shared a video alerting her contacts and the public about the incident.
Authorities and cyber-security experts have repeatedly advised users to remain cautious about unsolicited messages, avoid sharing sensitive information and verify financial requests before taking any action.
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