99: The Spy

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: This episode of Darknet Diaries details Igor, a private investigator in NYC who unknowingly works for Black Cube, an Israeli intelligence firm hired by Harvey Weinstein to spy on journalists Ronan Farrow and Jody Cantor. Igor flips sides, becoming a whistleblower for Farrow. The story culminates in a sting operation by Citizen Lab's John Scott Railton and the Associated Press, who expose a Black Cube agent attempting to discredit Railton, revealing the misuse of private intelligence to suppress investigative journalism.

Main Topics: Private Investigators and Surveillance Methods (Priority: 4/5): Igor explains his work as a PI in NYC, including surveillance techniques and tradecraft (shoelace codes), his tools (iPhone, camcorder, black-screen video app), and methods to check for being followed (driving maneuvers, garage entry/exits). Black Cube and Harvey Weinstein's Operation (Priority: 5/5): Black Cube, an Israeli intelligence company run by former Mossad agents, was hired by Harvey Weinstein to spy on journalists Ronan Farrow and Jody Cantor to kill their story on his sexual assault allegations. Igor is subcontracted through Roman Hagen. Igor's Whistleblowing and Switching Sides (Priority: 5/5): Igor realizes he's working against journalists he respects and contacts Ronan Farrow, sharing information from inside the operation with him. He subsequently exposes the surveillance and helps Farrow and the AP counter Black Cube. Citizen Lab and John Scott Railton's Sting (Priority: 5/5): John Scott Railton of Citizen Lab, targeted by Black Cube, collaborates with AP reporter Raphael Satter to confront the Black Cube agent. Railton uses a homemade concealed camera tie and the team ambushes the agent during a meeting at the Peninsula Hotel. The Black Cube Agent and Counter-Surveillance (Priority: 4/5): The Black Cube agent 'Michel Lombert' (later identified as Ahan Almou Gasoulin) uses cue cards, attempts to elicit racist or compromising statements, and tries to record Railton. After the ambush, he flees and Igor drives him to safety, noting his luggage name tag. Aftermath and Implications for NSO Group (Priority: 4/5): After publication, Black Cube accuses Igor and Hagen of being paid off; Igor refuses a polygraph. The episode sets up part two, revealing the NSO Group as a potential client behind Black Cube targeting Citizen Lab and lawyers representing victims of NSO spyware.

Key Arguments: Private intelligence firms like Black Cube can be hired to spy on journalists to suppress investigative stories, undermining press freedom. Whistleblowers within such operations can play a crucial role in exposing abuses, as shown by Igor's decision to contact Ronan Farrow. Adversaries may use paid informants or sting operations to gather compromising material on researchers and journalists, but careful counter-surveillance can expose them. Journalists and researchers can successfully collaborate to expose covert intelligence operations through sting operations and timely reporting. Spycraft methods (spam texts for geolocation, cue cards for elicitation) are used in modern espionage against civil society.

Data Points: Ransomware/phishing stat: 85% - Organizations affected by ransomware in past year (sponsor ad) Identity records on dark web: 63.8 billion - Distinct identity records circulating on dark web (sponsor ad) Corporate users infected by info-stealer malware: nearly half (50%) - Proportion of corporate users with infection history (sponsor ad) Discount for DeleteMe: 20% - Discount off plan when using promo code DD20 Meeting duration: about 90 minutes - Duration of JSR's meeting with the Black Cube agent Camera cost: about $1,000 - Igor's Panasonic camcorder cost

Pivotal Quotes: "I felt very uneasy being sent to do surveillance on journalists because, you know, these are publications that I respect: The New Yorker and the New York Times. I've been reading the New York Times since I was in high school. It was very, it was a very important thing in my life." — Igor: Igor explains why he decided to switch sides and help Ronan Farrow after learning his surveillance target. "I had spent years of my life working with victims of spyware... In the smallest of ways, what this moment gave me was a bit of a sense of what that feels like." — John Scott Railton: JSR reflects on the experience of being targeted by Black Cube after helping spyware victims. "These people are so like ignorant of the way that the American system of journalism, of our like our freedom, they don't have this concept. They think that journalists pay for stories. It really, it really pissed me off." — Igor: Igor reacts to Black Cube's accusation that journalists paid him to tip them off, highlighting cultural misunderstanding.

Implications: This episode reveals how vulnerable journalists and researchers are to sophisticated private intelligence operations funded by wealthy individuals or corporations. It underscores the need for ethical safeguards in the private investigation industry and the critical role whistleblowers play in defending press freedom. The NSO Group connection suggests a broader pattern of targeting human rights advocates.