Iran-linked hackers claim breach of FBI chief Kash Patel's emails, publish his resume

The hackers, known as Handala Hack Team, wrote on their website that Patel "will now find his name among the list of successfully hacked victims."

Updated on: Mar 27, 2026, 21:11:05 IST

By HT News Desk

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A group of Iran-linked hackers claimed that they accessed personal inbox of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's director Kash Patel and even published photographs of him and his purported resume on the internet, reported news agency Reuters.

The breach of FBI chief Kash Patel's emails was confirmed by a justice department official. (File Photo/REUTERS)

The hackers, known as Handala Hack Team, wrote on their website that Patel "will now find his name among the list of successfully hacked victims."

The breach of Patel's emails was confirmed by a justice department official to Reuters but no details were provided. The official also said that what the hackers have published online is seemingly authentic.

The FBI has so far not reacted to the breach, neither the hackers group has responded yet after Reuters reached out.

Track live updates of Iran-US war here

While the emails published by the hackers were not immediately authenticated, the news agency reviewed them and said that they are seemingly a mix of professional and personal emails dating as back as 2010 to 2019.

Also read: ‘Aliens, exciting announcement’: Theories swirl after White House's cryptic posts, pixelated images on social media

Who is the Handala Hack Team?

The hackers behind this breach, Handala, is a self-proclaimed pro-Palestinian vigilante hackers group. According to several Western researchers, Iranian government's cyberintelligence units are behind the group and use it as one of its many personas, the report said.

Also read: ‘Clown’ Trump started war in Iran 'to bury Epstein scandal’: French senator's fiery speech

Earlier on March 11, the group claimed another cyberattack. It said that it hacked Stryker, which is a Michigan-based medical devices and services provider, and that it deleted a bunch of company data.

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HT News Desk
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