India-based hacking group allegedly targets Qatar world cup critics

London: An India-based computer hacking group has allegedly targeted the critics of the Qatar World Cup. An investigation has indicated that the operation was commissioned by the Qatari government.

Sunday Times and the bureau said their investigation "strongly points" to the client as the host of the World Cup. The Qatari government responded by calling the allegation "patently false and without merit."

The incident took place in 2019. And the allegations are being made on the basis of a database leaked to the Sunday Times of the UK. The Bureau of Investigative Journalism in an official statement said that the probe revealed the hacking of a dozen lawyers, journalists, and other VIPs.

A Qatari official stated that the report is "littered with glaring inconsistencies and falsehoods that undermine the credibility of the Bureau of Investigative Journalism's (TBIJ)." They pointed out that the report relied on a single source who claims his ultimate client was Qatar without evidence.

"Numerous companies have also boasted of non-existent ties to Qatar in an attempt to boost their profile in the run-up to the World Cup. TBIJ's decision to publish the report without a single piece of credible evidence to connect their allegations to Qatar raises serious concerns about their motives, which appear to be driven by political, rather than public interest," said the official to AFP.

The former head of European football Michel Platini is among the targets. He was in talks with the French Police about World Cup-related graft claims. About the hacking allegations, he said he is "surprised and deeply shocked. He added that he will be exploring all possible legal avenues over the serious violation of privacy," reported AFP.

The Sunday Times report also claimed that the computers of Pakistani politicians and generals were also targeted for the Indian secret services.

Over 100 people had their private email accounts hacked by the Indian group. The report alleges that their clients are autocratic states and wealthy people with British lawyers. Politicians dealing with issues related to Russia were also targeted. Former UK finance minister Philip Hammond was allegedly hacked in 2018 when he was dealing with the attack on former double agent Sergei Skripal. The UK blamed Russia for the attack.

Another target is London-based consultant Ghanem Nuseibeh. His company did a report on corruption related to the World Cup. A French Senator Nathalie Goulet who criticised Qatar for allegedly financing "Islamic terrorism" was also among the targeted. German lawyer Mark Somos who filed a complaint against the Qatari royal family to the UN Human Rights Council was also allegedly hacked.