A resident of Tel Aviv allegedly photographed sensitive locations and received thousands in cryptocurrencies, authorities claim.
Israeli authorities arrested a 27-year-old man from Tel Aviv on charges of espionage after he allegedly carried out intelligence tasks for Iranian agents in exchange for payments in cryptocurrencies.
The suspect allegedly carried out several missions, including photographing sensitive locations and spray-painting graffiti with political motivations, the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and the Tel Aviv District Police announced in a joint statement released to various local media on Monday (23).
The organizations behind the espionage activities 'contact through social networking platforms,' the agencies said, urging citizens and residents of Israel 'not to interact with foreign actors or carry out any missions on their behalf,' according to the local site Arutz Sheva.
The arrests occur at a time when cyberattacks linked to the Israel-Iran conflict have intensified, causing uncertainties in cryptocurrency markets.
Last week, a pro-Israel hacker group claimed responsibility for an exploit that drained about $90 million in cryptocurrencies from the Iranian exchange Nobitex, citing ties between the platform and Iranian intelligence services.
Cryptocurrency markets calmed down on Monday after President Trump stated that a ceasefire mediated by Qatar was being discussed.
At the time of writing, Israel maintained warnings for citizens to seek shelter, claiming that a third barrage of Iranian missiles was on the way, according to an update from the Associated Press.
Payment in cryptocurrencies
In the operation on Sunday, authorities seized computers and digital storage devices suspected of being linked and used for communication with Iranian handlers working with Or Beilin, a resident of Tel Aviv.
After his arrest, Beilin was brought to the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court, which decided to extend his detention until June 26, pending investigation.
Beilin joins two others already in custody of the Israeli police, including Dmitri Cohen, 28, from Haifa.
Cohen was arrested last month on suspicion of collecting information about Amit Yardeni, who was about to marry Avner Netanyahu, son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to the Times of Israel.
Cohen allegedly received a promise of $500 for each task and received thousands in cryptocurrencies since he began working with Iranian agents. Another individual was arrested in the Sharon area, although the 19-year-old suspect has not been named in local reports.