A group of hackers linked to Iran claimed to have hacked the personal email account of the director of (Federal Bureau of Investigation), l (Republican, right), and published photos and documents on the internet. The allegation was made this Friday (March 27, 2026).
The hackers, who identify themselves as Handala Hack Team, published personal images of the director and a sample of more than 300 emails that, according to the group, were obtained from the hacked account. The messages released include personal and professional communications dating from 2010 to 2019.
The FBI confirmed that Patel’s personal account was targeted. In a note, the agency stated that it had adopted measures to mitigate risks and declared that the data involved is of a historical nature and does not include government information.
The Handala group presents itself as a collective of pro-Palestinian hackers and is considered a front associated with Iranian cyber intelligence units.
In addition to the photos, the hackers released documents and excerpts from emails that appear to include personal and professional content. It was not possible to independently verify the authenticity of the published material.
The attack takes place against a backdrop of increased geopolitical tensions involving Iran, the United States and allies. The group also claimed other recent attacks, including the disclosure of employee data from defense companies and the hacking of private company systems.
