The person at the center of this case
Firas Dardar (fugitive suspect)
Cold Case · Open - Wanted by FBI
12 years waiting · since 2014
FIRAS DARDAR
Justice for Firas Dardar (fugitive suspect) — the trail went cold in 2014, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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suspect
Lead #1Why did Firas Dardar choose the online alias 'The Shadow' and what was his specific role within the Syrian Electronic Army hierarchy?
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evidence
Lead #2What technical evidence links Dardar to the dozens of cyber attacks attributed to him, and how was his identity confirmed by investigators?
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location
Lead #3Is Dardar still believed to be in Homs, Syria, and what efforts have been made to locate him through international law enforcement cooperation?
Firas Dardar is wanted for his alleged leadership role in the Syrian Electronic Army (SEA), a hacking group that conducted dozens of cyber attacks against U.S. government agencies, media organizations, and private companies between 2011 and 2014 under the online alias 'The Shadow.' Beyond the hacking conspiracy, Dardar is also suspected of orchestrating cyber extortion schemes targeting American and international businesses, with criminal complaints filed in 2014 and 2015. He is believed to be hiding in Homs, Syria, and the FBI is offering up to $100,000 for information leading to his location and arrest.
Case
#639
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
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clue
Lead #4His known smoking habit could be a identifying characteristic—have any credible sightings been reported in Syria or elsewhere?
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contact
Lead #5Who were Dardar's known associates in the Syrian Electronic Army, and have any of them been apprehended or turned informant?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Conspiracy to Gain Unauthorized Access to and Damage Computers; Conspiracy to Convey False Information Regarding a Terrorist Attack; Conspiracy to Cause Mutiny of United States Military Members; Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft, Conspiracy to Commit Access Device Fraud; Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering; Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud; Conspiracy to Violate Syrian Sanctions Regulations; Conspiracy to Receive the Proceeds of Extortion; Conspiracy to Send an Unlawful Interstate Communication Caution: Firas Dardar is wanted for his alleged involvement in the Syrian Electronic Army (SEA), a group of individuals who allegedly commit hacks in support of the Syrian Regime. It is alleged that, between September of 2011 and January of 2014, Dardar committed dozens of cyber attacks against United States government agencies, media organizations, and private organizations under the SEA banner while using the online nickname, "The Shadow".
On June 12, 2014, a criminal complaint was filed in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria, Virginia, charging Dardar with conspiring to violate numerous laws related to the commission of computer intrusions. Additionally, Dardar is also suspected of being responsible for a series of cyber extortion schemes targeting a variety of American and international companies.
A separate criminal complaint charging Dardar with these cyber extortion schemes was filed on September 29, 2015. Remarks: Dardar is known to be a smoker.
He is believed to be residing in Homs, Syria.
Timeline of Events
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2011-09
Cyber Attack Campaign Begins
Firas Dardar allegedly begins conducting cyber attacks under the online nickname 'The Shadow' in support of the Syrian Regime
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2014-01
Campaign Ends
Alleged cyber attack campaign concludes after approximately 2.5 years of activity targeting U.S. government and private organizations
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2014-06-12
Criminal Complaint Filed
Criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia for conspiracy to commit computer intrusions and related offenses
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2015-09-29
Extortion Charges Filed
Separate criminal complaint filed charging Dardar with cyber extortion schemes against American and international companies
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:September 1, 2011
Last Updated:September 11, 2026
Up to $100,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case
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Case Information
Incident:September 1, 2011
Last Updated:September 11, 2026
Up to $100,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case