Israeli citizens abroad at risk of being kidnapped by…, Israel’s National Security Council issues warning, says don’t…

The warning was issued on Tuesday, 14 January.

Tel Aviv: In a sudden and unexpected development, Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) issued a warning to Israeli citizens of rising Iranian efforts to harm Israelis abroad.

The warning was issued on Tuesday, 14 January 2025.

This follows an incident in which Iranian operatives reportedly tried to entice an Israeli businessman to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a potential kidnapping.

Iranian agents posing as representatives of Al-Arabiya Farsi, the Persian-language branch of a Saudi media outlet, contacted the businessman via Telegram.

Claiming they sought an interview about the Iranian regime, they invited the Israeli to a meeting in Dubai. The agents also sent malicious files designed to access his mobile phone, according to the NSC.

However, this made the businessman suspicious, and he reported the contact to the National Intelligence Service, whose investigation confirmed the plot to kidnap him.

In December, The Press Service of Israel reported Iranian plot to kidnap Israeli journalist Babak Itzhaki by luring him to a Turkish city near the Iranian border.

Earlier, in November, Israeli Moldovan Rabbi Zvi Kogan was abducted and killed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Three Uzbek nationals were arrested and Israeli officials believe they were working on behalf of Iran.

The NSC cautioned Israelis against sharing sensitive personal details, such as phone numbers, travel plans, or real-time locations, through social media or messaging platforms.

The NSC has advised Israeli citizens abroad that in case of being contacted by unknown individuals, they should verify the identity of their contacts through direct communication, such as audio or video calls. The NSC also warned against downloading unsolicited files or links.

(With ANI/TPS inputs)