LONDON: British police have launched an investigation into a sexting scam targeting Members of Parliament (MPs), following reports of explicit messages sent to a lawmaker.
Conservative MP William Wragg admitted to sharing personal phone numbers of colleagues with an individual he met on a gay dating app, citing pressure from the recipient who claimed to possess compromising material.
Wragg, 36, expressed regret over his actions, acknowledging feeling coerced by the threat of exposure. The incident, described as a “spear phishing” attack, highlights the vulnerability of public figures to cyber threats and underscores the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures within parliamentary settings.
While there is no explicit evidence implicating China in the targeted harassment of Wragg and fellow MPs, the incident adds to existing concerns about cybersecurity breaches and potential espionage activities. Last month, the UK government voiced grievances to China regarding a series of cyberattacks, including those targeting lawmakers.
The scandal, first reported by Politico, has prompted inquiries by Leicestershire Police into reports of malicious communication sent to a local MP. The investigation underscores the broader challenges facing policymakers in safeguarding against cyber threats and protecting sensitive information in an increasingly digitized world.
