Amit Forlit, an Israeli private investigator with a background in Israel’s internal security agency Shin Bet, faces criminal charges in the United States related to an alleged global hacking scheme targeting environmental activists. The Justice Department has accused Forlit of orchestrating efforts to infiltrate computer networks of American environmental groups, purportedly on behalf of a major oil company, in an operation prosecutors have described as a "sprawling criminal enterprise." Forlit has pleaded not guilty and currently remains under an ankle monitor in the New York City area while awaiting trial.
The indictment, unsealed after Forlit’s extradition from London in April, centers on allegations that he supervised a project nicknamed "Fox Hunt," which involved hiring Indian hackers to conduct spear-phishing attacks designed to obtain passwords and sensitive documents from more than 100 individuals and organizations. Prosecutors contend these stolen materials were then shared with an oil and gas company that used them to undermine ongoing climate change litigation and discredit environmental advocacy groups.
Forlit’s legal team has identified the oil company named in the allegations as Exxon Mobil and implicated DCI Group, a Washington-based public relations and lobbying firm, as the commissioning entity. Both Exxon and DCI have denied any involvement, with Exxon stating it condemns hacking activities if they took place, and DCI asserting that the Justice Department confirmed it was not under investigation.
The case unfolds amid a broader wave of lawsuits filed by states and municipalities against fossil fuel companies, including Exxon, over claims that the industry misled the public about the environmental and health impacts of fossil fuel combustion. Prosecutors allege that Forlit’s activities were aimed at obstructing or derailing these legal challenges, which could result in substantial financial penalties for the industry.
Forlit, 58, who hails from Haifa, served in Shin Bet from 1990 to 1997 before founding Gadot Information Services, a private-investigation firm with offices in Israel and Florida. Over the years, he has been involved in various international matters, including a project related to the Argentine debt crisis and investigations in the UK and Kazakhstan. His career has also intersected with high-profile social circles, including a relationship with Israeli real estate agent Racheli Yifrach, who described him as highly intelligent and passionate about spy stories.
The hacking operation reportedly targeted figures connected to climate litigation and advocacy, including the Rockefeller Family Fund, which has supported climate activism and legal efforts against fossil fuel companies. Lee Wasserman, who runs the fund, said he received notification that he was among the hacking targets but disputed characterizations of their meetings as secretive or conspiratorial.
Prosecutors say Forlit collaborated closely with another Israeli investigator, Aviram Azari, who pleaded guilty to related hacking charges and served prison time before returning to Israel. The indictment asserts that the operation generated tens of millions of dollars in illicit profits.
Forlit’s defense has characterized the prosecution as politically motivated, reflecting the complex intersection of climate litigation and political agendas. His attorney, Sabrina Shroff, has requested additional time to review the voluminous evidence, including approximately four million pages of documents, citing language barriers and the case’s complexity. Pretrial motions are due by November 10, and the next court hearing is scheduled for December 10.