Former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer, Monica Witt, wey defect to Iran in 2013, don become one of the most wanted persons for FBI list. According to reports, Witt wey operate under alias “Fatema Zahra” dey accused of espionage and helping Iranian regime recruit her former colleagues for their intelligence services.
Witt, wey start her military career for 1997, rise to technical sergeant and work as special agent for Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI). She get Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance, wey give her access to classified details about ongoing covert operations for Middle East. Her expertise for languages, especially Farsi, allow her intercept and analyze critical communications from Iranian government.
But that same knowledge help her align with Iranian intelligence operatives. Her defection begin for 2012 during trip to Iran to attend New Horizon Institute conference, wey U.S. Treasury later designate as front for Iranian intelligence. For August 2013, Witt disappear permanently after Iranian operatives give her logistical support to cross borders and settle for Tehran.
Once for Iran, Witt provide technical information about Saffron Rose program, wey be intelligence system for collecting sensitive data. She also use social engineering techniques to introduce malicious software onto devices of her former colleagues, wey enable Iran extract data from classified military networks.
U.S. authorities warn say Witt get direct protection from Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and allegedly dey reside for Tehran, where she continue to collaborate on cyber warfare operations against Western targets. FBI dey offer $200,000 reward for any information wey go lead to her capture.
If captured outside Iran, the former officer go be extradited to United States to face trial for espionage, crime wey fit carry life imprisonment or death penalty for extreme national security risk. FBI dey monitor her distinctive physical features, including scar on her left cheek and tattoos on her right shoulder, to close in on the most wanted defector of the last decade.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
