Iran-linked hackers leak FBI Dir. Kash Patel’s personal emails. (Photo: X/@RT_com)
Iran-linked hackers on Friday claimed they had accessed FBI Director Kash Patel’s personal email account, posting private photographs and documents online.
The breach was claimed by the pro-Palestinian vigilante group Handala Hack Team, which said Patel “will now find his name among the list of successfully hacked victims.”
The hackers released personal photos showing Patel sniffing and smoking cigars, riding in an antique convertible, and taking a mirror selfie with a large bottle of rum.
A Justice Department official confirmed the email had been compromised, and the material appeared authentic, though the FBI did not immediately comment.
A Justice Department official confirmed that Patel‘s email had been breached and said the material published online appeared authentic. The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The hackers did not immediately respond to messages.
Handala, which calls itself a group of pro-Palestinian vigilante hackers, is considered by Western researchers to be one of several personas used by Iranian government cyberintelligence units. Handala recently claimed the hack of Michigan-based medical devices and services provider Stryker SYK.N on March 11, claiming to have deleted a massive trove of company data.
Reuters was not able to independently authenticate the Patel emails, but the personal Gmail address that Handala claims to have broken into matches the address linked to Patel in previous data breaches preserved by the dark web intelligence firm District 4 Labs. Alphabet-owned Google, which runs Gmail, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A sample of the material uploaded by the hackers and reviewed by Reuters appears to show a mix of personal and work correspondence dating between 2010 and 2019.
(With Reuters Inputs)
Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience reporting on Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes journalism plays a crucial role in amplifying unheard voices and bringing attention to issues that truly matter. Sofia has contributed articles to The New Indian Express, Youth Ki Awaaz, and Maktoob Media. She is also a recipient of the 2025 Laadli Media Awards for gender sensitivity. Beyond the newsroom, she is a music enthusiast who enjoys singing. Connect with Sofia on X: https://x.com/SBCism
Elon Musk unexpectedly joined a high-level call between Donald Trump and Narendra Modi on the…
PSL 2026: Hasan Ali and Moeen Ali Power Karachi Kings to Thrilling 14-Run Win Over Quetta Gladiators
Karachi Kings beat Quetta Gladiators by 14 runs in PSL 2026. Hasan Ali bags 4…
The US is still waiting for a formal response from Iran on its proposal, even…
