The National Security Council emphasizes to the public in Israel that the axis of evil, Iran, is increasing its efforts to harm Israeli citizens abroad by luring them to meetings in various countries around the world.
Recently, Iranian terror elements have attempted to orchestrate a scheme to lure an Israeli businessman to the United Arab Emirates for the purpose of carrying out an attack against him.
Intelligence sources from the National Security Council have reported that Iranian operatives contacted this Israeli businessman via the Telegram app, impersonating the Persian department of the Saudi media outlet "Al Arabiya Farsi." They engaged in communication with the intention of enticing the Israeli citizen to meet with them in Dubai. Additionally, it was revealed that these operatives sent the Israeli links and malicious files aimed at gaining access to his mobile phone without his knowledge.
Thanks to the vigilance of the businessman, who reported the suspicious interactions to the National Security Council, an investigation was conducted. It revealed that the characteristics of the dialogue and the request for an "interview" regarding the Iranian regime indicated that indeed Iranian terror elements were behind the outreach, and that it was an attempt to lure the Israeli to Dubai with the intent to harm him.
The National Security Council notes that this is yet another expression of the ongoing Iranian terror threat against Israelis both domestically and abroad.
This incident highlights the potential risks involved in communicating with unknown individuals who make unusual outreach online, particularly when such communications involve requests for personal details, information about travel abroad, or sending files/links to mobile devices or email addresses.
To mitigate these risks, the public in Israel is urged to maintain privacy on social networks and refrain from sharing details such as phone numbers, real-time locations, and future plans. Sharing such information can assist terror operatives in gathering critical data about potential targets, allowing them to tailor their outreach attempts and increase the likelihood of receiving a positive response.
Moreover, it is advisable to verify the identity of unknown contacts (business, academic, or otherwise) at the beginning of any conversation and to engage in direct communication through various channels. For example, using multiple messaging applications or conducting audio or video calls to confirm the identity of the contacting party.
For additional safety guidelines, please visit: https://www.gov.il/he/pages/travel_warning_info