An investigation published in the Israeli press revealed that thousands of soldiers and officers within the army were directed to produce sexual content through fake accounts, and these images were later circulated on the internet and Telegram channels.
The report stated that contacts established through fake female profiles gradually turned into sexual conversations, during which soldiers were persuaded to record videos or share images. Some of the content included identity details, personal photos, and information related to military service.
The scale of the images drew attention
The investigation noted that in a single active group, more than 16,000 videos and approximately 10,000 photos were shared over about three years. Another group shared over 4,000 videos, while a different group circulated around 5,000 videos and 2,000 photos.
It was reported that new groups sharing similar content on Telegram have been monitored in recent weeks, indicating the spread continues. Some of this content showed soldiers in uniform, at guard posts, in operations rooms, inside vehicles, or at military facilities.
How were fake profiles created?
One highlighted method in the report was a technique called "baitim" inside the army. According to this, fake accounts contacted soldiers via Instagram, gradually steering conversations toward sexual content and recording and distributing the obtained images.
Another method involved using video chat sites. Communications initiated with the promise of meeting strangers quickly turned into sexual recordings. The report also mentioned that some of these sites are considered risky by the police.
Security risk emphasized
The investigation indicated the issue is not limited to privacy violations. A security expert noted that images of military vehicles or systems could be valuable for intelligence purposes, and such recordings might contain information useful for planning attacks.
The report argued that this content was distributed for money and could later be used for blackmail or recruitment attempts. Experts believe that such a large pool of images alone poses a serious risk to the security institution.
Previous warnings and new concerns
The investigation recalled that similar methods had been tried in the past. About ten years ago, fake female profiles contacted soldiers, then moved communications to private messaging apps, gaining access to phones.
The report also noted that after the war began in 2023, a network of fake female accounts allegedly managed by foreign parties within the army was identified. This network consisted of more than 40 fake profiles.
Army responded
The Israeli army announced that it is reviewing the findings published following the report. The statement emphasized that sexual content attacks are taken seriously and that guidelines to protect soldiers' safety are continuously strengthened.
The report also mentioned that officials do not definitively know whether these contents have been used by other actors but acknowledge the existence of a security risk.
