Iran-linked hackers ‘infiltrate FBI drones and threaten to target World Cup team buses’ in chilling warning
AN IRAN-linked hacker group has breached FBI drones and threatened to target World Cup team buses this week, according to a terrifying report.
The Handala syndicate said it has had access to a wide range of American surveillance drone footage and imagery “for months”, according to a monitoring group.
Sign up for The US Sun newsletter
Thank you!
The SITE Intelligence Group – who monitor jihadist organisations – said Handala had released a statement detailing their claims.
The hackers reportedly said they had access to “every image and every suspect” captured by the FBI’s first-person view (FPV) drones for the last few months.
The cyber criminals said the drones featured facial recognition and license plate screening deployed for counter-terrorism.
Handala reportedly said in their warning: “Better tighten your World Cup security, we don’t like some of those teams at all.
“Don’t forget: FPVs are everywhere; you never know when one might end up right in your team’s bus.”
Such a breach of security for the FBI would mark a major security failure as US authorities work tirelessly to safeguard its visitors for what is expected to be the most extravagant World Cup yet.
The FBI has deployed various drones to help protect the tournament from any unauthorised aircraft.
UAV flights will be banned over US stadiums hosting matches, as well as over fan events related to the competition.
Most read in The US Sun
The Justice Department has previously warned of the potential for cyberattacks by Iranian-linked actors amid the US-Israeli war with the Islamic Republic.
In March, Handala claimed to have hacked the email account of FBI Director Kash Patel and published personal photos and other material online.
There is currently a £7million bounty on any members of the group, a reward issued by the US State Department.
It marks the latest controversy to hit the historic tournament – which has been plagued by travel chaos and referee bans.
Fifa President Gianni Infantino has said World Cup critics should “chill, relax” and that nobody could have done more than him to ensure the tournament is a success.
In a stark contrast to his much-mocked “today I feel gay” speech before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the boss of the global game attempted to cast Fifa as the good guys.
Infantino rejected arguments that he should have done more to stand up to Donald Trump, insisting that only Fifa’s intercession ensured Iran could take their place in the tournament.
He also dismissed criticisms of World Cup ticket prices, comparing them to the basic prices for major sports events and concerts in the USA and maintaining: “This shows the prices were accurate.”
And while Infantino regretted the banning of Somalian referee Omar Artan, he was adamant Fifa had done more than any government to work with the US authorities, despite complaints from fans around the world who have been denied visas.