Hackers Claim FBI Drone Control, Threaten World Cup Attack
Reuters
Iran-linked hacker group “Handala” has claimed that it has infiltrated FBI drone systems and issued threats targeting the ongoing football World Cup, according to a monitoring organisation cited on Friday.
The group alleged that it has gained access to surveillance data from FBI-operated first-person view (FPV) drones and has been monitoring “every image and every suspect” captured by the systems for months. It further claimed that the drones were equipped with facial recognition and vehicle number plate identification technologies used in counterterrorism operations.
In a statement quoted by the SITE Intelligence Group, Handala warned: “Strengthen World Cup security. There are teams we do not like. FPV is everywhere. You never know when one will appear in front of your team bus.”
In response to potential aerial threats, the FBI has deployed counter-drone measures around stadiums hosting World Cup matches in the United States. Authorities have also imposed restrictions on unauthorised drone flights over stadiums and fan zones.
The group also circulated images and videos it claimed were obtained through hacked drones. However, SITE questioned the authenticity of the material, noting that one of the videos appeared to have originated from a commercial software demonstration created in December 2024 for tornado damage assessment by a US police department.
Earlier incidents attributed to the same group include claims in March that it had hacked the email account of FBI Director Kash Patel and leaked personal data online.
The US State Department has previously announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification of members of the group.
