An American yeshiva bochur studying in Yerushalayim has been indicted on charges of spying for Iran after allegedly carrying out a series of intelligence-gathering missions in exchange for cryptocurrency payments. According to the indictment, the 21-year-old was also instructed by his Iranian handlers to recruit additional bochurim.

The defendant, Eli L., allegedly made contact with Iranian intelligence operatives after responding to a job advertisement posted in a Telegram group called “Yeshivos Telegram” while visiting his family in the United States during the war. According to the indictment, the communication began while he was in America and continued after he returned to Israel.

Shortly after arriving back in Israel, two Iranian agents allegedly contacted Eli through Telegram and assigned him various missions, paying him in digital currency for completing them.

Among the assignments, prosecutors say, were photographing Yerushalayim’s Central Bus Station, documenting an abandoned building in the Bucharim neighborhood, photographing a grocery store, and scouting several locations along Rechov Yaffo to identify potential hiding places for objects.

According to the indictment, Eli also purchased and concealed a USB device, hid a cigarette pack containing a note reading, “The job is complete,” and sent his handlers photographs of himself holding his passport.

While allegedly continuing his studies in yeshiva, Eli also worked at the Mishartecha Machmetzes bakery in Meah Shearim. Prosecutors allege that he sent the Iranian agents a video from his workplace to strengthen their relationship. At one point, he was allegedly instructed to provide the names of fellow bochurim in his yeshiva and to recruit additional bochurim to work for the Iranian operatives.

Authorities say Eli received approximately 4,225 shekels (about $1,250) from the Iranian agents for completing the various assignments. Following a joint investigation by the Yerushalayim District Police’s Major Crimes Unit and the Shin Bet, an indictment was filed against him on Friday.

Chief Inspector Amichai Penta of the Yerushalayim District’s interrogation unit said, “In recent months, several defendants have been exposed for spying on behalf of the enemy. Some carried out these acts during wartime, thereby assisting the enemy in carrying out its plans within the State of Israel. We will continue, together with the Shin Bet, to locate and expose offenses of this kind, arrest anyone who endangers the security of the state and its citizens, and bring them to justice.”

Yerushalayim District Prosecutor Ronit Shentzer Yaakobi warned that seemingly harmless online job offers can quickly become something far more dangerous.

“Sometimes all it takes is a single Telegram message offering easy money. What begins as a task that appears minor or innocent can quickly turn into cooperation with a hostile foreign entity operating against the State of Israel. This indictment illustrates how foreign intelligence agencies attempt to exploit the digital sphere to identify, recruit, and activate people inside Israel, and how important it is to remain vigilant and immediately cut off contact with such approaches. Such contact poses a real threat to the security of the state.”

The investigation was conducted jointly by the Yerushalayim District Police’s Major Crimes Unit and the Shin Bet. Eli has been charged with unlawful contact with a foreign agent and providing information to an enemy that could be of benefit to it.