A recent data breach at the Iranian crypto exchange Nobitex has raised significant attention, as there is a possibility that Israel used this information to apprehend Iranian agents.
Circumstances of Data Breach
TRM Labs reported that there is an 'analytical possibility' that Israeli cyber teams accessed internal info from Nobitex shortly before the exchange was attacked on June 18. The pro-Israel hacking group Gonjeshke Darande drained wallets on the platform, resulting in losses exceeding $90 million.
Suspects and Their Activities
Following the breach, Israeli authorities announced the arrests of three individuals accused of espionage on behalf of Iran. Two suspects were reportedly paid in cryptocurrency, including a 28-year-old named Dmitri Cohen, who allegedly received $500 for completing tasks related to intelligence gathering.
Nobitex's Reaction and Iranian Authorities
Nobitex stated it aims to restore services within five days but warned that ongoing internet restrictions in Iran may delay progress. The exchange condemned the attack as detrimental to ordinary Iranians, while Iranian authorities have reportedly imposed operational restrictions on local crypto exchanges.
The current situation underscores the connection between cyber attacks and espionage operations, along with the importance of secure crypto platforms amid global instability.
