Sam Pitroda, Chairperson of the Indian Overseas Congress, has reported a serious cybersecurity breach involving his laptop, smartphone, and server. He claimed that hackers have repeatedly compromised his systems over recent weeks and are now demanding payment in cryptocurrency.
In an email to media, Pitroda stated:
“I want to bring to your attention a critical matter. My laptop, smartphone, and server have been repeatedly hacked and severely compromised over the past few weeks.”
The hackers have allegedly issued threats, warning him to pay tens of thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency or face a smear campaign targeting his reputation.
“The hackers have warned that if unpaid, they will launch a smear and misinformation campaign to tarnish my reputation by contacting people in my network,” he added.
Pitroda also cautioned against interacting with suspicious emails or messages, advising his contacts to avoid opening links or downloading attachments.
“If you receive any emails or messages that appear to be about me from any unknown email or mobile number, I urge you not to open them, not to click on any links, and not to download any attachments. Just delete them, as they may contain malware that could compromise your own devices,” he emphasized.
Currently traveling, Pitroda assured that he plans to take immediate action upon his return to Chicago.
“This includes replacing outdated hardware, upgrading software, and implementing robust new security measures to safeguard my digital presence. I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience or concern this situation may cause,” he said.