Tuesday, 25 August 2026 MUMBAI EDITION LIVE

BMC Chief Ashwini Bhide's WhatsApp Hacked

Fraudsters target BMC chief, gain access to WhatsApp. Scam alert issued.

Mumbai Alert · City Desk
Mumbai Alert · City Desk
City Desk · Mumbai Alert News · Tue, 25 August 2026 at 11:42 am
BMC Chief Ashwini Bhide's WhatsApp Hacked

In a shocking incident, the WhatsApp account of Ashwini Bhide, the Municipal Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), was compromised by fraudsters. The scam, which has been identified as a courier scam, has raised concerns about the security of personal data and the vulnerability of high-profile individuals to such attacks.

According to reports, the fraudsters gained access to Bhide's WhatsApp account by posing as a courier company employee. They sent a message to Bhide, claiming that a parcel was awaiting delivery and requested her to click on a link to confirm the delivery address. Unaware of the scam, Bhide clicked on the link, which led to her WhatsApp account being compromised.

The fraudsters then used Bhide's account to send messages to her contacts, including BMC officials and other high-profile individuals. The messages requested them to transfer money or provide sensitive information, which could have led to further financial losses.

The BMC has issued a statement warning citizens about the courier scam and advising them to be cautious when receiving messages from unknown numbers. The statement also urged people to verify the authenticity of messages before responding or clicking on any links.

This incident highlights the importance of being vigilant when using social media and messaging platforms. It also underscores the need for individuals, especially those in high-profile positions, to be aware of the potential risks and take necessary precautions to protect their personal data.

The BMC has taken steps to secure Bhide's WhatsApp account and is working with the cybercrime cell to investigate the incident. The incident has also prompted the BMC to review its cybersecurity measures and implement additional safeguards to prevent such incidents in the future.

The courier scam is a type of phishing attack where fraudsters pose as courier company employees to gain access to personal data or financial information. It is essential for citizens to be aware of such scams and take necessary precautions to protect themselves.

In recent times, there has been a surge in cybercrime incidents, including phishing attacks and social media scams. The incident involving Bhide's WhatsApp account serves as a reminder of the importance of being cautious when using digital platforms and the need for individuals to be proactive in protecting their personal data.

The BMC has advised citizens to be cautious when receiving messages from unknown numbers and to verify the authenticity of messages before responding or clicking on any links. The civic body has also urged people to report any suspicious activity to the cybercrime cell.

In conclusion, the incident involving Bhide's WhatsApp account highlights the importance of being vigilant when using social media and messaging platforms. It also underscores the need for individuals to be aware of the potential risks and take necessary precautions to protect their personal data.

Frequently asked questions

What is a courier scam?

A courier scam is a type of phishing attack where fraudsters pose as courier company employees to gain access to personal data or financial information.

How can I protect myself from courier scams?

You can protect yourself by being cautious when receiving messages from unknown numbers, verifying the authenticity of messages before responding or clicking on any links, and reporting any suspicious activity to the cybercrime cell.

bmcashwini bhidewhatsappcourier scamcybercrime
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