Indian Cricketer Rinku Singh's Monetized Facebook Account Compromised in Major Cyber Attack
In a significant cybersecurity incident, Team India cricketer Rinku Singh's monetized Facebook account, boasting approximately 1.6 million followers, has been hacked. The Agra police confirmed the breach on Friday, revealing that the account is now being operated under an unknown identity.
Account Linked to Personal Gmail Compromised
Preliminary investigations by the cyber crime cell have determined that the Facebook ID was originally linked to Rinku Singh's personal Gmail account. However, it has now been taken over by an unauthorized individual using a different email address. The cricketer, a resident of Aligarh, first reported the issue to Senior Superintendent of Police Neeraj Kumar Jadaun on Wednesday.
SSP Jadaun stated, "Approximately two days ago, the cricketer informed me that he had not accessed his Facebook account for several days but discovered someone was uploading posts from it without his knowledge."
Formal Complaint Filed and Case Registered
Rinku Singh's brother, Sonu Singh, submitted an official complaint on behalf of the cricketer in Aligarh. Consequently, a case has been registered against an unidentified person at the cyber police station under sections 66C (identity theft) and 66D (cheating by personation) of the Information Technology Act. The cyber crime cell has launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
Cricketer's Statement Reveals Account Misuse
In his complaint, Rinku Singh explained, "As a member of the Indian cricket team, I was preoccupied with matches and did not monitor my Facebook account closely. Recently, when I attempted to access it, my login credentials were denied. I realized my ID was hacked after my photographs and video clips began uploading automatically. I tried multiple times to regain access, but my account, originally linked to my mail ID, is now logged in with another email."
He further emphasized, "My Facebook account is monetized and generates income; the perpetrator is fraudulently collecting this money."
Financial Implications and Expert Insights
According to a Uttar Pradesh police cyber crime expert, hackers can link their own bank accounts to compromised monetized Facebook profiles, enabling them to siphon off earnings. While authorities have not confirmed if any funds have been transferred from Rinku Singh's account, they acknowledge the potential financial risk and are investigating thoroughly.
The incident underscores the vulnerabilities faced by public figures in the digital age, highlighting the importance of robust cybersecurity measures for high-profile social media accounts.
