OFAC Sanctions Parties Behind Predator Commercial Spyware Network

The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week sanctioned two people and five entities behind commercial spyware used for human rights abuses and “mass surveillance campaigns.” The designations include the founder of the Intellexa Consortium, which OFAC said developed commercial spyware known as Predator and that is used to target government officials, journalists and others.

OFAC sanctioned Intellexa founder Tal Jonathan Dilian, who controls a “decentralized” network of companies that make up the consortium, including Greece-based software company Intellexa S.A. The agency also sanctioned Ireland-based Intellexa Limited and Thalestris Limited; North Macedonia-based Cytrox AD; and Hungary-based Cytrox Holdings Zartkoruen Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag for being part of the consortium.

OFAC also designated Sara Aleksandra Fayssal Hamou, a “corporate off-shoring specialist” who provides “managerial services” to Intellexa. Hamou rents office space in Greece to Intellexa S.A. and holds a “leadership role” with Intellexa S.A., Intellexa Limited and Thalestris.