Hamas soldiers allegedly created fake apps and Facebook accounts to lure Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers into unwittingly giving up sensitive intelligence.
Hamas soldiers using phony Facebook accounts would trick IDF soldiers into downloading a dating app that, once downloaded, gave the operatives access to IDF soldiers’ phones, The Telegraph reported.
GlanceLove, one of the fake dating apps Hamas created, ironically advertised itself as “the best choice for new lovers who care about their privacy and safety.”
Once IDF soldiers — including both men and women — downloaded the app, Hamas gained access to all the data on the users’ phones and even had recording abilities.
IDF said that fewer than 100 soldiers fell for the trap.
“Such activity had the potential to inflict damage to the IDF’s information security but no damage has been done,” an IDF officer said, The Telegraph reported.
In order to lure IDF soldiers into downloading the apps, Hamas created fake male and female Facebook accounts, requested IDF soldiers as friends, and interacted with them in convincing, non-suspicious ways by “liking” pictures and commenting on them. (RELATED: Facebook Suspends User For Mocking Terrorists Two Years Later)
After building credibility, Hamas operatives would message IDF soldiers, asking them to download a number of different apps, which would give them access to their phones.
Other fake apps Hamas created included a World Cup update app. An IDF senior officer said the app “actually was a very good one.”
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