IRAN-LINKED hacking group Handala claims it hacked FBI Director Kash Patel’s personal Gmail account and leaked files, with analysis suggesting several emails attributed to Patel’s account are authentic. The FBI confirmed it is aware of the incident and has taken steps to mitigate risks, with the information described as historical and not involving government data, according to Bloomberg. TechCrunch verified that some leaked emails attributed to Patel’s Gmail account are authentic by analysing message headers.
Handala has said the attack began after the February start of the US–Israel conflict with Iran, and the group has claimed other operations, including a breach at Stryker involving tens of thousands of devices and about 50TB of data, though those claims are attributed to Handala.
The FBI is offering up to $10 million for information on Handala, and the organisation is described as a pro-Palestinian hacktivist group that is widely viewed as a front for Iran-backed Void Manticore, with activities increasing since the conflict began. 28 March 2026.