Israel-Tied Predatory Sparrow Hackers Are Waging Cyberwar on Iran’s Financial System
1 min read
Summary
Israel-aligned cyber gang Predatory Sparrow has wreaked havoc on Iran’s crypto and banking systems, targeting the Iranian crypto exchange Nobitex and destroying $90m of holdings.
The gang accused the exchange of enabling sanctions violation and terrorist financing on behalf of the Iranian regime.
It followed this by trying to destroy data at Iran’s Sepah bank, accusing the institution of aiding the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Predatory Sparrow, believed to have links with Israeli intelligence, has previously targeted Iran’s railways, with data-destroying attacks and disrupted payment systems at thousands of Iranian gas stations, causing nationwide fuel shortages.
The group burnt down a steel mill in the country in 2022.
Experts have noted that the gang’s actions appear to be acts of sabotage against Iran, rather than efforts to steal money or data.
