My WhatsApp was hacked and the attacker is asking my contacts for money, what should I do?

My WhatsApp account was taken over via a verification code scam and messages are being sent to my contacts asking for money in my name. I would rather settle this without going to court if the law allows it, but I need to know my rights before I sign anything. Please tell me what to do first and what document to keep.

Under Indian law, Information Technology Act, 2000 – Section 66C is the starting point for this cyber law question. What follows is the position in substance, together with the steps that usually make the difference in practice.

This is a combination of unauthorised access (Section 43/66 IT Act) and identity theft/cheating by personation (Sections 66C and 66D), since the attacker is using your identity to defraud your contacts.

Immediately alert your contacts through another channel (SMS, call, other social media) warning them not to send money or click links from your WhatsApp, since the fraud typically moves fast in the first hour after takeover.

Reinstalling WhatsApp with your number and completing the OTP verification process will usually kick out the attacker's session, since WhatsApp only allows one active session per number tied to the verification code.

Enable two-step verification (a PIN) immediately after regaining access, since this is the single most effective control against repeat takeover via SIM-based OTP theft.

Report the incident to WhatsApp support and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in, especially if any of your contacts actually sent money to the scammer, so a fund-trace/freeze request can be initiated for their loss too.

What this means for you: 1) Warn your contacts immediately through another channel not to trust messages from your account; 2) Reinstall WhatsApp with your number to regain the session via OTP; 3) Enable two-step verification with a PIN; 4) File a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in, especially if any contact lost money.

Where the facts are disputed, what usually decides a whatsapp hacked matter is the paper trail — dated complaints, acknowledgments and written replies under Information Technology Act, 2000 – Section 66C. You can post the details on the MyVakeel forum for a practising advocate to review, or book a paid consultation with a Bar Council verified lawyer in cyber law.

Disclaimer: This information is for general awareness and does not constitute legal advice. Statutes and their interpretation change, and outcomes depend on the facts of your case. Please consult a qualified advocate before acting on it.