{
  "id": 3420647,
  "title": "Fake Parcel Call: How Cybercriminals Hacked BMC Chief Ashwini Bhide's WhatsApp",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/fake-parcel-call-how-cybercriminals-hacked-bmc-chief-ashwini-bhides",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-26T03:18:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/fake-parcel-call-how-cybercriminals-hacked-bmc-chief-ashwini-bhides-whatsapp-mumbai-news"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mumbai: Cybercriminals exploited a fraudulent parcel call and a simple phone code to seize control of Chief Ashwini Bhide's WhatsApp account, following the activation of call forwarding on her mobile number. According to Mumbai Police, Bhide received an unsolicited call claiming she had booked a parcel in her name. When she denied ordering any parcel, the caller allegedly urged her to contact a delivery person. She was then presented with a code containing 21 followed by a 10-digit mobile number and a hashtag, which, when dialed, activated call forwarding on her phone. The cybercriminals subsequently registered Bhide's phone number on WhatsApp using voice-call verification, as the calls were already redirected. Once they obtained the verification code, they took over her account, altered her display picture, and began reaching out to contacts, including VIPs, with messages demanding money. Bhide quickly recognized the suspicious activity, disabled call forwarding, and regained control of her account, averting a potential financial scam. Similar incidents have been reported, involving other public figures like Shiv Sena leader Shaina N.C., MP Supriya Sule, BJP leader Sambit Patra, and actress Vanita Kharat. Police suspect that the cybercrime network operates from Jharkhand-Bihar border areas. Mumbai Police warned citizens against dialing star codes, such as 21, when directed by unknown callers, as these codes can activate call forwarding and potentially compromise accounts.",
  "summary": "Mumbai: A fake courier call and a seemingly harmless phone code were allegedly enough for cybercriminals to take control of BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide's WhatsApp account, after scammers activated call forwarding on her mobile number and intercepted the verification call needed to access the messaging app. According to Mumbai Police, Bhide received a call from an unknown person on Saturday…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}