Hackers linked to Iran have publicly claimed responsibility for hacking into FBI Director Cass Patel’s personal emails by posting photos of the federal law enforcement director and other documents online.
On their website, the Handala Hack Team say that Patel “will now find his name among the list of victims targeted in a successful hack.”
A Justice Department official confirmed that Patel’s email had been hacked and said the material posted online appeared to be authentic.
The Handala, which calls itself a group of pro-Palestinian vigilant hackers, is considered by Western investigators to be one of several used by the Iranian government’s cyber-espionage units.
Handala recently claimed responsibility for the March 11 breach of Michigan-based medical device and services provider Stryker, claiming it deleted a massive amount of corporate data.
