general
Iran-linked group Handala says it breached Kash Patel’s personal Gmail
Iran-linked hacking group Handala posted files it says are from Kash Patel’s personal Gmail; TechCrunch verified multiple emails as authentic and Reuters and a Justice Department official confirmed the breach.
Mar 27th 2026 · United States
Insights
- Handala published photos and a file cache it said came from Kash Patel’s personal Gmail account.
- TechCrunch verified several leaked messages using email headers and matching cryptographic signatures, indicating those messages are authentic.
- Some leaked emails appear to show messages sent from Patel’s FBI address to his Gmail account.
- Reuters first reported the leaks and a Justice Department official confirmed the breach to Reuters.
- The FBI and Justice Department did not immediately respond to TechCrunch’s requests for comment.
- Handala is linked by U.S. prosecutors to Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security and has previously claimed destructive and doxxing attacks, including against Stryker, and its seized websites have reappeared on new domains.
Sources
- Iran-linked hackers claim breach of FBI director's personal email; DOJ official confirms break-in www.reuters.com
- FBI Director Kash Patel's personal email breached by hackers linked to Iran www.cbsnews.com
- FBI Director Kash Patel’s Personal Inbox Breached: Iranian Hackers Leak Private Photos and Resume indianexpress.com
- Iranian hackers claim breach of FBI director Kash Patel’s personal email account techcrunch.com
- FBI director gets his personal email hacked by ‘Iran-linked group’ and shared online www.independent.co.uk
- Kash Patel’s Email Account Hacked, Iran-Linked Group Takes Credit gizmodo.com
- Pro-Iran hackers say they breached FBI chief Patel’s email account, post personal files www.scmp.com
- DOJ confirms FBI Director Kash Patel’s personal email was hacked arstechnica.com
- Kash Patel’s Personal Email Hacked by Iran-Linked Group newrepublic.com
- Pro-Iranian hackers claim they breached FBI Director Kash Patel’s personal email as Trump administration offers $10 million reward fortune.com
- The private Kash Patel photos leaked by Iran-based hackers www.thetimes.com
- Iran-linked hackers breach Kash Patel's personal email, publish excerpts online www.cnbc.com
- Pro-Iran group claims credit for hack of FBI Director Kash Patel's personal email account www.euronews.com
- Iran-backed Handala hackers breach FBI director Kash Patel's emails www.bbc.com
- FBI confirms hackers targeted Director Kash Patel’s personal emails www.politico.com
- Kash Patel’s Emails Circulate Online as Iran Takes Responsibility for Release www.nytimes.com
- Iranian Hackers Breached Kash Patel’s Email—but Not the FBI’s www.wired.com