A hacker working for the Sinaloa Cartel used Mexico City’s surveillance cameras to track an FBI official, leading to the deaths of potential informants, according to a report from the Department of Justice (DOJ). The breach, which occurred in 2018, involved the hacker accessing the phone records and geolocation data of an FBI assistant legal attaché in Mexico City. The hacker’s actions enabled the cartel to identify and intimidate or kill potential sources and cooperating witnesses.
This breach took place while the FBI was investigating Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán, the former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, who was extradited to the United States in 2017. The Trump administration had prioritized cracking down on cartels, declaring them foreign terrorist groups. The report raises concerns about the impact of high-tech surveillance on U.S. national security and the need for improved strategies to counter these threats.
The DOJ’s inspector general highlighted this incident in a broader review of the FBI’s efforts to protect sensitive information and prevent surveillance. The report underscores the growing threat posed by technological advancements that allow criminal enterprises to exploit vulnerabilities in data security. The hacker’s ability to use city cameras to follow the FBI official and gather intelligence on their contacts demonstrates the sophistication of the cartel’s operations.
The FBI is reportedly developing a strategic plan to address these concerns and enhance its approach to protecting sensitive information. The DOJ has not disclosed the identity of the hacker or the victims involved in this case.
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