The person at the center of this case
Multiple victims including individuals, corporations, non-profit organizations, universities, and government agencies in the United States and overseas
Cold Case · Open - Wanted by FBI
5 years waiting · since 2020
MEHDI FARHADI
Justice for Multiple victims including individuals, corporations, non-profit organizations, universities, and government agencies in the United States and overseas — the trail went cold in 2020, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Why has Farhadi remained at large since September 2020 despite an active federal arrest warrant, and what diplomatic or extradition challenges exist with his location in Iran?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What specific networks, corporations, and government agencies were targeted, and what sensitive data was exfiltrated during these cyber attacks?
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person
Lead #3What is the current status and whereabouts of co-conspirator Hooman Heidarian, and how extensive was their collaboration?
Mehdi Farhadi is a cybercriminal wanted by the FBI for leading a sophisticated hacking operation that targeted individuals, corporations, universities, and government agencies across the United States and internationally. Between 2020 and his indictment, Farhadi and his co-conspirator allegedly defaced websites, stole sensitive data, and fraudulently obtained credit card information and identities to finance their criminal activities. Despite a federal arrest warrant issued in September 2020, Farhadi remains at large and is believed to be residing in Hamedan, Iran, making his capture a priority for international cybercrime enforcement.
Case
#1036
United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Newark; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
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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.
💡
clue
Lead #4How were stolen credit card and identity information monetized to fund the hacking operations, and what financial trails exist?
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 Commit Fraud and Related Activity in Connection with Computers; Computer Fraud - Unauthorized Access to Protected Computers; Computer Fraud – Unauthorized Damage to Protected Computers; Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud; Access Device Fraud; Aggravated Identity Theft Caution: Mehdi Farhadi is wanted for his alleged involvement in malicious cyber activity affecting networks and individuals in the United States and other countries, to include defacing of websites, exfiltration of sensitive data, and unauthorized access to computer networks. Farhadi has also allegedly stolen credit card information and identities of United States persons to fund these illicit activities.
Farhadi has allegedly targeted a variety of victims, to include individuals, corporations, non-profit organizations, universities, and government agencies both in the United States and overseas. On September 15, 2020, a federal grand jury sitting in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, indicted Mehdi Farhadi on charges of conspiracy to commit fraud and related activity in connection with computers, computer fraud - unauthorized access to protected computers, computer fraud – unauthorized damage to protected computers, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
The District of New Jersey also issued a federal arrest warrant for both Mehdi Farhadi and his co-conspirator Hooman Heidarian . Remarks: Farhadi is known to reside in Hamedan, Iran.
Timeline of Events
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2020-09-15
Federal Indictment Issued
A federal grand jury in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey indicted Mehdi Farhadi on charges of conspiracy to commit fraud, computer fraud, wire fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
Key Locations
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Case Information
Incident:September 15, 2020
Last Updated:June 14, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:September 15, 2020
Last Updated:June 14, 2026