UK minister confirmed as 12th target in Westminster ‘spear-phishing’ scandal – POLITICO

When the former MP asked again who they were, the sender gave a surname and also the name of an MP they claimed to work for. “Now you know I’m not just a random popping up to compliment your ass,” they added. The next day the sender sent an explicit photo, at which point the former MP immediately blocked them.

“When you described the phishing techniques my heart started racing,” the ex-MP told POLITICO, having read the original story Wednesday morning. “I had [previously] put it down to Westminster having lots of weird people who work there.”

One of the journalists concerned was bombarded with messages that began with questions about how they and their boyfriend — whom the sender correctly named — were doing.

“Was v nice to hear you on the radio yesterday,” the sender said, before sending an explicit photo, then chasing on separate days saying “say something,” “hey,” “I’m really sorry” and “much planned for the long weekend?”

The other journalist was contacted on March 11 by “Charlie,” who claimed they had “swapped numbers after drinking one night”. The journalist quickly blocked that number — but a day later he received a message from “Abi,” using the other mobile number in question.

When the journalist replied that this was “clearly the same person as yesterday,” “Abi” responded: “I was sad you blocked me”. After being asked who they were yet again, the sender responded: “I was horny and I messaged you. That’s kind of it.”