LONDON (Reuters) -A London court heard that authorities arrested an Israeli private investigator wanted by the United States. He faced accusations of carrying out a cyberespionage campaign.
A judge rejected an initial extradition attempt for Amit Forlit due to a legal technicality.
Amy Labram, a lawyer representing the United States, told the court Forlit “is accused of engaging in a hack for hire scheme”.
Labram said that the U.S. allegations include that an unnamed Washington-based PR and lobbying firm paid one of Forlit’s companies 16 million pounds ($20 million) “to gather intelligence relating to the Argentinian debt crisis”.
Forlit and his lawyer did not immediately return messages seeking comment.
Forlit was arrested at Heathrow Airport under an Interpol red notice. The timing of his arrest remains unclear.
The judge halted Forlit’s extradition to the US due to procedural errors. He wasn’t presented in court within the required timeframe.
“He was not produced at court as soon as practicable and the consequences of that … he must – I have no discretion – he must be discharged,” Judge Michael Snow ruled.
The cybersecurity circles are abuzz with the arrest of an Israeli private eye in London for allegedly hacking for a US firm. Moreover, it highlights the significance of international cooperation in combating cybercrime and safeguarding sensitive information.
Furthermore, the Israeli private eye’s arrest underscores the growing challenges posed by cyber espionage in an interconnected world.
Organizations must actively invest in robust cybersecurity measures. Moreover, they should proactively collaborate with law enforcement agencies to address emerging cyber threats.
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