The investigation revealed that Sharon agreed to execute the tasks, excluding murder and arson. For the execution of the missions, concealing awareness, and transferring packages, two additional Israeli citizens were recruited in exchange for financial compensation from ANNA ELENA in cryptocurrency.
Today, the Jerusalem District Attorney's Office filed charges against the suspect in the Jerusalem District Court, accusing him of communicating with a foreign agent. The two additional recruited citizens were investigated and released from custody upon completion of their questioning until a decision is made regarding their case.
The use of this method, involving social media networks, under false pretences regarding the identity of the contacting entity, is a well-known modus operandi of Iranian intelligence agencies. This method, as a platform for recruiting Israelis to carry out ostensibly innocent tasks, constitutes a convenient and readily available platform for real threats to national security. In recent months, numerous fictitious profiles used by Iranian security operatives have been identified and monitored, accumulating substantial information about the entities behind their operations.
These solicitations were conducted through social media platforms and job opportunity websites, operating across all social networks, including Instagram, Telegram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter (X), while presenting a false pretence to Israeli citizens for initial contact. These approaches were made in various languages, including Hebrew and English.
Furthermore, widespread dissemination of messages was identified, encompassing similar coverage, including links leading to the Telegram channel directing to the "International Security Agency of Iran" website. Many Israeli citizens who received these suspicious approaches refrained from responding and even reported them to relevant authorities.