GSS: Intelligence sources in Iran tried to kidnap and harm Israeli businessmen
The Iranians impersonated academics, journalists, businessmen and philanthropists and used the authentic identities of foreigners they had stolen.
Referrals were made by email, while presenting a relevant cover story and an attempt to entice Israelis to meet abroad. A senior GSS source: "We have gathered a lot of information about those behind the operators."
Amir Bohbot
19/05/2022
Thursday, 19 May 2022, 15:17 Updated: 15:29
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In video: GSS reveals Iranian attempts to attract Israeli businessmen and academics abroad (Credit: GSS Communications)
Iranian intelligence sources have approached former senior members of the defense establishment, Israeli academics and businessmen in an attempt to entice them to meet with them abroad to kidnap and harm them - this was allowed for publication today (Thursday). Authentic identity of foreigners they stole.
References were made while presenting a relevant cover story through which the Iranian authorities gathered information about the Israelis and it is a known method of operation of their intelligence and security bodies. For example, well-known Israeli research institutes and academics whose identities have been stolen.
After making the initial contact by email, the Israelis were asked to switch to a WhatsApp conversation with a new phone number.
Recipients of suspicious inquiries refrained from responding and alerted security officials.
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To the full article
Example of a profile used in Iran (Photo: GSS)
In one case, an invitation was sent to attend a conference in a European country.
The Iranian agent used the email address Oliver.thranert@sipo.gess.ethz.ch, which is very similar to Professor Oliver Turnert's authentic address and signed in his name.
The impostor sent files and links that allegedly pertained to the conference, but the Israelis suspected and verified the content of the email with Trent - who verified that his email had been hacked.
Some Israelis were on the verge of going abroad as a result of these invitations.
In another case, the authentic identity of a journalist named Con Coglin was used. In the application, Israeli citizens were offered to write an article for an American institute called GATESTONE INSTITUTE. It is also similar to the authentic address of the same journalist.
Fictitious flight ticket (Photo: GSS)
Iranian intelligence sources also impersonated Nikolai, an aide to a Russian billionaire named Andrei Andreev.
Nikolai offered assistance to Israelis of Russian descent and offered to meet with him abroad, making it clear that Landrive had contacts with officials in the Armenian government, including with the Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia.
Correspondence in a telegram to Israelis in an offer to book accommodation in a private villa on the occasion of Tu B'Shvat (Photo: GSS)
At the same time, Iran's attempts to connect with Israelis on social media through fictitious profiles, while creating an appropriate cover story, continue in favor of a friendly or romantic relationship.
A senior GSS source said that as part of the affair, many profiles were used by Iranian intelligence agencies, and a great deal of information was gathered about the factors behind their operation.
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Army and Security
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Shin Bet
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