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Mexican drug cartel hacker spied on FBI official’s phone to track and killinformants, report says
In 2018, a hacker for the Sinaloa cartel spied on an FBI official's phone to identify informants for assassination. Revealed in a DOJ report, the hacker accessed phone calls and geolocation data while following the attaché in Mexico City. This incident occurred during the investigation that led to El Chapo's capture and highlights ongoing cartel surveillance tactics against law enforcement.
Key points
- A hacker hired by the Sinaloa cartel spied on an FBI official's phone in 2018.
- The goal was to identify informants working with the FBI, potentially leading to their intimidation or murder.
- The DOJ report reveals FBI efforts to counter such surveillance threats.
- The hacker accessed geolocation data and observed movements of the FBI attaché in Mexico City.
- Cartel employed sophisticated surveillance techniques, indicating their capability to counter law enforcement efforts.
Why it matters
- This incident reflects the ongoing war between Mexican cartels and law enforcement, with both sides employing advanced surveillance.
- Increasing use of technology by cartels mirrors global trends in cybercrime and law enforcement responses.
- This hacking incident connects to broader concerns over privacy and security measures in both governmental and criminal contexts.
The 2018 cartel hacking incident underscores the lengths to which drug organizations will go to protect their interests and poses significant challenges to law enforcement, highlighting a critical area of modern cybersecurity concerns.