An indictment was filed against Omri Goren, an Israeli citizen who was employed in household chores at the defense minister's home. According to the indictment, Goren turned to the hacker group affiliated with Iran on his own initiative, and offered to help it in various ways. Among other things, he offered to plant a "worm" in the minister's personal computer and photographed his safe.
An indictment for espionage for Iran was filed today (Thursday) against Omri Goren Gurochovsky, a 37-year-old Israeli who worked at the home of Defense Minister Benny Gantz - the GSS allowed the publication. A few years ago with his partner, he contacted on Telegram the hacker group "Black Shadow", which is affiliated with Iran, and offered to help it in various ways, for a fee.
Following media reports about the hacker group, which has recently carried out cyber attacks against Israeli targets, Goren located a representative of "Black Shadow", contacted him under a false identity and offered to help him. Among other things, he proposed planting a "worm" that would allow it to be hacked into Gantz's computer, according to the indictment.
To prove his seriousness and closeness to the minister, Goren photographed several items in various places in his home and passed them on to hackers. Among other things, he photographed Gantz's safe, desk, computers, telephone, tablet, a box containing IDF items with serial numbers, a box with a sticker with an IP address, a shredder, military souvenirs given to Gantz when he was chief of staff, photos of the minister and his family, a bill to pay the Minister's property tax and more. Goren then deleted all telegram correspondence with the hacker and the photos from his mobile device.
According to the GSS, Goren was arrested a few days after contacting the Black Shadow representative, and he failed to pass on sensitive information.
Goren has a rich criminal record, which includes five previous convictions, including two bank robbery incidents. He ran four different prison terms, the last of which lasted four years.
Today, at the end of the GSS and Israel Police International Investigations Unit investigation, the Central District Attorney's Office filed an indictment against him in the Lod District Court, alleging espionage. A request was also submitted to extend his detention until the end of the proceedings. Following the case, the GSS will conduct an investigation into the affair, in order to prevent the recurrence of such cases. Among other things, the investigation procedures will be examined.