Indictment: Two Jerusalem Brothers Posed as Unit 8200, Sent Fake 'Intel' to Iran Using AI

An indictment unsealed this morning (Tuesday) reveals an unusual case centered on two brothers from the Jerusalem area. The two are accused of contacting an Iranian intelligence agent and passing him fabricated information—using AI tools and a fake identity. The details came to light following inquiries by Kan News and Walla, and the indictment itself was filed in early February in the Jerusalem District Court.

According to the indictment, one brother stole the identity and photo of a young man from the Telegram app and used them to pose as a soldier in Unit 8200. In his exchanges with the Iranian agent, nicknamed "David," he presented himself as having access to sensitive security information and passed along fabricated details designed to look credible.

Among other claims, he said Israel was preparing to strike in Iran within hours and that "a decision was made to hit their infrastructure." He also provided false information that Israel was responsible for the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in the May 2024 helicopter crash. When asked to prove it, he produced a document that appeared to be an official Unit 8200 memo—generated using artificial intelligence.

The brothers also supplied the agent with details about an Iranian citizen whom they claimed was involved in assassinations of senior Iranian military figures as part of Operation "Am K'lavi". They created a fabricated script for him using the Grok AI service, including details about surveillance of senior officials. The Iranian agent later updated the two that the citizen had been arrested but then cleared—and said he felt deceived.

In return for providing the information, the two received more than 100,000 shekels. The main defendant is charged with contacting a foreign agent, providing information to the enemy, providing information that could benefit the enemy, and impersonation. The second defendant is charged, together with him, with providing information to the enemy. Their identities are under a publication ban at the request of their attorney, Ariel Atari.

The defense said: "The indictment is outrageous. As the case file shows, these are two Zionist, patriotic brothers who sought to 'sting' the Iranians." He added: "As is well known, 'the Jewish mind invents patents,' and as loyal sons of the Start-Up Nation, they sold the Iranians information they fabricated using artificial intelligence and, in return, took money from the Iranians. Their intention was to harm the enemy and mislead him, and they succeeded. Instead of filing this needless indictment, the state should award them the Israel Prize for contributing to national security."