My WhatsApp was hacked from a Guwahati device and the hacker messaged my contacts asking for money. What do I do?

Detailed Legal Analysis

If your WhatsApp was hacked and the hacker has used it to message your contacts for money, you should take immediate action to secure your account and report the incident.

Here are the steps you should follow:

• Secure Your Account:
  • Log out of WhatsApp Web if you have been using it.
  • Change your WhatsApp password and enable two-step verification in the app settings.
  • If you can still access your account, inform your contacts about the hack and advise them not to respond to any suspicious messages.
• Report the Incident:
  • Contact WhatsApp support through the app or their website to report the hacking incident.
  • Provide them with details regarding the unauthorized access and any messages sent by the hacker.
• File a Police Complaint:
  • Visit the nearest police station in Guwahati to file a formal complaint regarding the hacking and fraudulent messaging.
  • Provide them with evidence such as screenshots of messages and details about your account being hacked.
  • File under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act, 2000, specifically:
    • Section 66 (Computer-related offenses)
    • Section 66D (Cheating by personation using computer resource)
    • Section 67 (Publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form)
• Inform Your Contacts:
  • Send a message to all your contacts informing them of the hack and warning them against any messages that request money.
  • Advise them to delete any suspicious messages they received.
• Monitor Your Financial Accounts:
  • Keep an eye on your bank accounts and online transactions for any unauthorized activities.
  • Report any unusual activity to your bank immediately.

By taking these steps, you can mitigate the damage caused by the hacking incident and protect yourself and your contacts from further fraud.