Israeli teen recruited as Iranian spy via Telegram

Police say 13-year-old Tel Aviv boy was recruited by Iran and directed to carry out various activities via the Telegram application.

By World Israel News Staff

An Israeli teenager from Tel Aviv was arrested recently on suspicion he acted as an agent of Iran after being recruited via the Telegram messaging application.

On Tuesday, the Israel Police and Shin Bet security agency issued a joint statement announcing that a 13-year-old resident of Tel Aviv was arrested and interrogated as part of a criminal investigation against him before being released to house arrest.

During the interrogation, the teenage suspect revealed that Iranian operatives had contacted him via Telegram and asked him to carry out several tasks in exchange for money, which was transferred to him online.

The minor told investigators that he agreed to their request and, following their instructions, sprayed graffiti in the Tel Aviv area, for which he received payments.

In addition, he was asked to photograph the Iron Dome system, but he ultimately did not carry out this task.

At the end of the interrogation, conducted by the Fraud Division, he was released to house arrest. His parents were kept informed throughout the investigation.

The police and Shin Bet emphasize that intelligence and terrorist elements continue their efforts to recruit Israelis through social media to promote acts of terror in Israel.

“Accordingly, we again stress to parents of children that any connection with foreign entities and performing tasks for them is a serious offense that carries severe penalties,” the police department and Shin Bet said.” You must remain alert and cautious in order to prevent the next case.”