Israel’s Shin Bet security agency, in coordination with the Tel Aviv Police Fraud Unit, arrested a 27-year-old Tel Aviv resident on Sunday over allegations he carried out assignments for a hostile Iranian entity.
The arrest follows months of surveillance and investigation into alleged espionage and subversive activities orchestrated through encrypted channels and funded via cryptocurrency.
Espionage Activities Included Surveillance of Officials, Military Sites
According to the information, the suspect had been in contact with Iranian intelligence operatives for several months. He is accused of executing various missions at their direction, including:
- Photographing the homes of Israeli public officials
- Documenting Israeli military bases
- Spray-painting graffiti for propaganda purposes
- Investigators reported that the man received thousands of dollars in payment, funneled through virtual currencies—a method increasingly used to obscure financial trails in covert operations.
Raid Uncovers Digital Evidence, Suspect Held in Custody
During a raid on the suspect’s Tel Aviv residence on Sunday, authorities seized computers and digital storage devices, which are believed to contain communications with his Iranian handlers. On Monday, the suspect appeared before the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court, which extended his detention until June 26 as the investigation continues.
Shin Bet Warns of Ongoing Recruitment Attempts by Iranian Networks
In a joint statement, the Shin Bet and Israeli police stressed that hostile intelligence services—particularly those affiliated with Iran—continue to attempt the recruitment of Israeli citizens via social media and encrypted messaging platforms.
“These organizations reach out through social media platforms, and we urge all citizens and residents of Israel not to engage with foreign actors or carry out any missions on their behalf,” the statement read.
Security agencies emphasized their zero-tolerance policy toward espionage and vowed to prosecute anyone involved. Authorities urged the public to report any suspicious contact or attempts at foreign recruitment immediately.
The arrest adds to a growing list of Iranian-linked espionage cases in Israel and highlights the evolving use of crypto payments and digital communication tools in modern intelligence operations.
Kosta Gushterov
Reporter at Coindoo
Kosta has been a part of the team since 2021 and has solidified his position with a thirst for knowledge, incredible dedication to his work and a “detective-like” mindset. He not only covers a wide range of trending topics, he also creates reviews, PR articles and educational content. His work has also been referenced by other news outlets.
Source: https://coindoo.com/israel-arrests-suspect-accused-of-spying-for-iran-paid-in-crypto/