Israeli private eye accused of hacking was questioned about DC public affairs firm, sources say
Technology
Israeli private eye accused of hacking was questioned about DC public affairs firm, sources say
WASHINGTON - An Israeli private investigator sought by the United States over hack-for-hire allegations previously told colleagues that he had been questioned by FBI agents over his work for the Washington public affairs firm DCI Group, according to three people familiar with the matter.
Federal law enforcement’s interest in DCI, which has not been previously reported, shows a years-long U.S. probe into cybermercenary activity is wider than publicly known.
The FBI declined to comment. DCI, a public relations firm that has worked on behalf of hedge funds and multinationals, said in a written statement that “we direct all our employees and consultants to comply with the law.”
Private investigator Amit Forlit was arrested at London's Heathrow Airport on April 30 over American cybercrime and wire fraud charges. Prosecutors in London said only that Forlit engaged in a “hack for hire scheme” on behalf of several clients, including an unidentified Washington-based PR and lobbying firm. He was released two days after his arrest following a procedural error by British authorities.
He was rearrested on Thursday on the same charges and has since been released on bail, according to Britain's National Crime Agency and a London court register published Friday. The register said Forlit surrendered his passport and was ordered not to leave the country.
The 56-year-old’s lawyers did not return repeated messages. In a deposition, opens new tab made public in 2022, Forlit said, opens new tab, "I've never commissioned hacking and never paid for hacking.”
