‘Iran-linked group’ hacks FBI director Kash Patel’s email

FBI officers

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says the personal email account of Kash Patel, its director, was hacked by a “group linked to Iran”.

The FBI said it is aware of “malicious actors” targeting Patel’s email information.

“The information in question is historical in nature and involves no government information,” the FBI said in a statement.

The Handala Hack Team, published what it claimed were documents and photographs taken from Patel’s account on its website on Friday.

The group also shared what it described as Patel’s résumé and added a message saying: “This is just our beginning”.

Images circulating online show Patel in various locations, including beside a vintage convertible, standing near a jet, smoking cigars, and taking selfies with a bottle of liquor.

Some of the photos appear to have been taken in restaurants and hotels.

The Handala group claimed the operation demonstrated weaknesses in US cybersecurity.

“The so-called ‘impenetrable’ systems of the FBI were brought to their knees within hours by our team,” the group said.

“This is the security that the US government boasts about?! This is the cyber giant that thinks threats and bribes can silence the voice of resistance?”

The FBI has announced a reward of up to $10 million for information that could help identify members of the hacking group. Thecable