BJP MLA Debangshu Panda's WhatsApp hacked, money demanded in his name
Synopsis
A BJP MLA's WhatsApp account was hacked and weaponised — fraudsters sent money demands and threats to contacts in his name. It is the second social media account Debangshu Panda has lost to hackers, after his Facebook was compromised before the Assembly elections. The cybercrime branch is now racing to identify the perpetrator and determine whether any victim has already paid up.
Key Takeaways
Debangshu Panda , BJP MLA from Falta Assembly constituency , had his WhatsApp account hacked.
The fraudster sent messages to multiple people demanding money and allegedly issuing threats in the MLA's name.
A complaint was filed on Monday at Diamond Harbour police station ; the cybercrime branch is investigating.
Panda's Facebook account was also hacked before the West Bengal Assembly elections — making this a repeat targeting.
The MLA has urged the public not to pay anyone claiming to be from his office and to report suspicious messages immediately.
Debangshu Panda, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Falta Assembly constituency in West Bengal, has filed a police complaint after his WhatsApp account was hacked and used to solicit money and issue threats to unsuspecting recipients. The complaint was lodged on Monday at the Diamond Harbour police station, triggering a cybercrime investigation.
How the Fraud Unfolded
The breach came to light after a resident of Naiyapara in Falta received a call from someone claiming to be the MLA and demanding money. The alarmed recipient approached the Diamond Harbour police station, prompting cybercrime branch officials to look into the matter. Their preliminary investigation confirmed that Panda's WhatsApp account had indeed been compromised.
Using the hacked account, the fraudster reportedly sent messages to multiple individuals, demanding money in the MLA's name. Recipients were allegedly warned of consequences if they failed to comply — a tactic designed to exploit the legislator's public standing to coerce payments.
Pattern of Targeting: Facebook Was Hacked Earlier Too
This is not the first time Panda has been targeted. He disclosed that his Facebook account was similarly hacked ahead of the state Assembly elections. The recurrence has raised concerns within West Bengal BJP circles about the deliberate targeting of the party's elected representatives through social media fraud.
Notably, this is part of a broader pattern of cybercriminals impersonating public figures — politicians, bureaucrats, and celebrities — to extract money from their contacts, a trend that cybercrime agencies across India have flagged as rapidly escalating.
What the MLA Has Said
Panda has publicly appealed to citizens to remain vigilant. He urged people not to respond to any messages or calls from his number asking for money, and to report such communications to the police immediately. He also specifically warned that no one should transfer funds to anyone claiming to represent his office or his party.
Investigation Status
The cybercrime branch is actively investigating the case, working to establish the identity of the perpetrator, determine how the account was accessed, and ascertain whether any victim has already transferred money to the fraudster. The West Bengal Police have not yet made any arrests in connection with the incident.
As the probe continues, the case underscores the vulnerability of public figures' digital accounts and the urgent need for stronger two-factor authentication practices among elected officials.
Point of View
Many of whom use personal consumer accounts for political communication with no institutional safeguards. The fact that Panda's Facebook was also hacked before the elections raises a harder question: is this opportunistic fraud, or is there a pattern of targeted harassment of a specific legislator? West Bengal's cybercrime branch has its work cut out, but the broader lesson for political parties is that their MLAs and MPs need mandatory digital hygiene protocols — not just police complaints after the fact.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Whose WhatsApp account was hacked in West Bengal?
The WhatsApp account of Debangshu Panda, the BJP MLA from Falta Assembly constituency in West Bengal, was hacked. The fraudster used his number to demand money and allegedly threaten recipients.
Where was the police complaint filed?
Panda filed his complaint at the Diamond Harbour police station on Monday. The cybercrime branch subsequently took up the investigation.
Has anyone paid money to the fraudster?
It is not yet confirmed whether any victim transferred money. The cybercrime branch is actively investigating to determine if any payments were made to the fraudster.
Was this the first time Debangshu Panda's social media was hacked?
No. Panda disclosed that his Facebook account was also hacked before the West Bengal Assembly elections. The WhatsApp compromise is the second such incident targeting the MLA.
What has the MLA advised the public to do?
Panda has urged the public not to pay money to anyone claiming to be him or from his office, to ignore threatening messages from his number, and to report any such communications to the police without delay.
