WhatsApp Groups of Telangana Ministers Hacked; Fake SBI KYC APK Shared, Phones Compromised

In a major cybersecurity breach, the official WhatsApp groups of several Telangana ministers were hacked, triggering alarm across government departments. According to internal updates accessed by Munsif News 24×7, cybercriminals infiltrated multiple high-level groups and circulated a fraudulent APK file disguised as an SBI KYC verification app.

The attack affected several key groups, including the Ministers’ communication groups, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) group, the Deputy Chief Minister’s group, and media coordination groups. Initial reports suggest that the phones of several ministers’ PROs and multiple journalists may also have been compromised.

Malware Disguised as SBI KYC App

Cyber experts have confirmed that the APK file shared in the hacked groups is a remote-access malware capable of taking full control of the infected device. Once installed, the malicious app can access contacts, WhatsApp groups, gallery files, documents, banking apps, and even OTPs, enabling hackers to hijack accounts and steal sensitive data.

Police Issue Urgent Warning

The Telangana Cyber Crime Police acted quickly after the breach was detected and issued an advisory to the public:

• Do not open any APK file received via WhatsApp.

• Avoid clicking links claiming to update SBI KYC or Aadhaar details.

• Update Aadhaar only through official government portals.

• Use only official apps or websites of SBI and UIDAI.

• Enable WhatsApp two-step verification and keep phone security patches updated.

Authorities have urged citizens, journalists, and government staff to remain vigilant, noting that such malware attacks can spread rapidly and compromise multiple devices.

The incident has sparked serious concerns regarding digital security across government communication channels, and an investigation is now underway to trace the source of the breach.