Exxon Lobbyist Investigated for the Alleged Hack and Leak of Emails Belonging to Environmentalists

• FBI investigated an operation that breached and leaked the email accounts of several prominent environmental activists. 
• The Israeli detective and their associate, who were involved in the Exxon hacking case, are suspected of hacking and wire fraud.
• The exposed material is still used against allegations regarding Exxon misleading people about climate change risks. 

A far-reaching hack-and-leak operation that breached the email accounts of several prominent environmental activists is being investigated by the FBI. The Israeli detective hired by DCI Group, Amit Forlit, has been arrested and faces extradition to the U.S. on charges of hacking and wire fraud, according to sources who spoke to Reuters. 

His associate, Aviram Azari, who was allegedly tasked with hacking the environmental activists, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in 2022 and has been sentenced to 80 months in prison. 

The operation reportedly started back in 2015, when a global Exxon Mobil consultant allegedly colluded with DCI Group, a lobbying company tied to Exxon, to compile a list of hacking targets. 

The hacker strain was passed on to an Israeli private detective, who subsequently outsourced the operation. In a purported attempt to depict Exxon as a victim of politically motivated destruction, the stolen information was leaked to media outlets by DCI. 

Detrimentally, the hack disrupted preparations for an onslaught of legal action against Exxon and other energy companies, modeled on the 1990s litigation against the tobacco industry. The leaked material is still used presently to counter allegations that Exxon misled the public and investors about the risks associated with climate change. 

The FBI's investigation into the operation aligns with growing global concern about the role of mercenary hackers in manipulating judicial proceedings. 

However, the extent of Exxon's knowledge regarding the hack-and-leak incident remains undetermined. The investigation continues, shedding light on concerning cyberespionage practices and their potential impact on justice proceedings.

In October, a hacking operation reportedly led by the private investigations firm Equalize affected 800,000 files and 15TB of data from police databases in Italy, as well as Italian President Sergio Mattarella and former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.