An Israeli private investigator, Amit Forlit, was arrested at London’s Heathrow Airport while attempting to board a flight to Israel. He is wanted by the United States for allegedly carrying out a cyberespionage campaign on behalf of an American PR firm.
Allegations and Charges
Forlit is accused of engaging in a “hack for hire” scheme, where he was paid £16 million ($20 million) by a Washington-based PR and lobbying firm to gather intelligence related to the Argentinian debt crisis. He faces three charges in the United States:
- Conspiracy to commit computer hacking
- Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
- Wire fraud
Extradition Attempt Thwarted
An initial attempt to extradite Forlit to the United States was rejected by a judge at Westminster Magistrates’ Court due to a legal technicality. The judge ruled that Forlit was not produced in court within the required timeframe, and therefore must be discharged.
FAQs
- Who is Amit Forlit?
Amit Forlit is an Israeli private investigator wanted by the United States for alleged cyberespionage activities. - What is Forlit accused of?
Forlit is accused of engaging in a “hack for hire” scheme, where he allegedly gathered intelligence on behalf of an American PR firm. - What is the status of Forlit’s extradition?
An initial attempt to extradite Forlit was rejected due to a legal technicality, and he was discharged. It is unclear whether the United States will make a further extradition request. - What are the charges against Forlit?
Forlit faces three charges in the United States: conspiracy to commit computer hacking, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and wire fraud. - What is the significance of this case?
This case highlights the growing concern of cyberespionage and “hack for hire” schemes, and the challenges of extraditing individuals accused of such crimes.