Rinku Singh with UP Police. Image Credits: X
Indian cricketer Rinku Singh’s official Facebook account has reportedly been hacked, as confirmed by the police on Friday. The authorities shared that it is still uncertain whether the hacking incident has led to any financial loss or illegal transactions.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Neeraj Kumar explained that Rinku Singh personally informed him about the incident earlier this week through a phone call. Soon after receiving this information, the police began preliminary checks related to the complaint.
Rinku Singh files complaint
Following this development, Rinku Singh’s brother, Sonu Singh, submitted a written complaint to the city cyber crime cell on Wednesday.
Through this complaint, the family requested prompt action and a detailed inquiry into how the account was compromised. The police confirmed that the complaint has been officially registered and is now under review.
According to police officials, Rinku Singh is originally from Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh. Due to his demanding cricket schedule and frequent travel, he had not been closely monitoring his Facebook account for several months. This lack of regular activity may have made the account more vulnerable to unauthorised access.
Police initiates investigation
SSP Neeraj Kumar stated that the exact time of the hacking is still unknown. He added that the cyber crime cell has started a thorough investigation to trace the source of the breach.
“It is not clear when exactly the account was hacked. The cyber crime cell has initiated a detailed investigation into the matter," SSP Kumar was quoted as saying.
It is important to note that the police are working to identify the individuals behind the hacking and are checking technical details linked to the account. Further updates are expected once more information is gathered during the investigation.
Controversy over Rinku Singh's AI-generated video
Recently, Rinku Singh found himself at the center of a controversy after an AI-generated video was posted from his Facebook account. The video showed him playing cricket shots, along with a caption that read, “Who made you a cricketer?” Soon after, the clip shifted to animated visuals created using artificial intelligence.
The video featured Hindu deities such as Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Ganesha seated inside a Thar vehicle. The deities were shown wearing black sunglasses, with Lord Hanuman driving the vehicle, while English music played in the background. The video spread quickly across social media platforms and drew widespread attention.
Members of the Karni Sena strongly objected to the video, stating that it hurt religious sentiments. The group criticised the content and approached the police, demanding action against the cricketer.
Meanwhile, on the professional front, Rinku continues to focus on his cricketing career. Notably, he is currently part of India’s T20 World Cup squad.
In all likeliness, Rinku will be seen in action during India’s first match of the tournament against the USA. The match is set to take place on Saturday, February 7, at the Wankhede Stadium.
