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Biweekly Homeland Security Insights for a Safer New Jersey |
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Three Suspects Arrested for Separate Attacks on Tesla Dealerships and Charging Stations
 On March 20, U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced that authorities arrested three individuals for attacking Tesla car dealerships and electric vehicle charging stations. The suspects reportedly used Molotov cocktails to target a dealership in Colorado and Oregon and a charging substation in South Carolina. According to the Department of Justice, the individuals each face between five and 20 years in prison if convicted. Since January, individuals in the U.S. have vandalized, graffitied, and conducted firearm and arson attacks against Tesla dealerships and electrical charging stations due to personal grievances and potential anarchist/anti-fascist ideologies. Tesla dealerships around the country have also faced small-scale protest rallies, the majority of which have consisted of non-violent demonstrations and resulted in several arrests.
Analyst comment: Lone offenders with varying extremist beliefs are event driven and frequently target commercial infrastructure, financial institutions, and government offices, which they perceive as supporting authoritarian laws, capitalism, and globalist policies. Extremists who support violence will use similar threat tactics and improvised devices to damage private and public property and motivate supporters to conduct similar attacks.
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NJCCIC Reports Uptick in Facebook Scams
The New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) reports an increase in compromised Facebook accounts impacting New Jersey residents and businesses. After gaining access to accounts, threat actors communicated with the victims' contacts to lure and defraud them through various scams or to compromise additional accounts. In one scheme, the cybercriminals created fraudulent posts claiming to sell items for a sick or deceased relative, typically an uncle. The victims’ contacts, believing the sale lures were authentic, sent $500 to $2,000 payments to the threat actors to purchase the items.
In another scheme, threat actors messaged malicious links to the victims' contacts using Facebook Messenger, instructing them to vote to win a prize by clicking the link. The contacts then received emails purportedly from Meta, claiming they could regain access to their Facebook account by verifying their identity using a multifactor authentication code, the front and back of their official identification, and a one-minute video of themselves.
The NJCCIC recommends that users exercise caution with unsolicited messages and verify suspicious communications, refraining from clicking on links. Users should also set up Facebook account activity alerts. Review the NJCCIC's latest alerts and advisories to learn more.
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Job Vacancies
NJOHSP is Hiring: Counter-Threat Watch Specialist
NJOHSP invites talented individuals to apply for a Counter-Threat Watch Specialist position in its Intelligence Management Bureau and make a meaningful impact across New Jersey in homeland security. Join our team and help to ensure the safety of residents and visitors in the Garden State. Requirements include a background in law enforcement/criminal justice, intelligence, or homeland security, as the job requires a basic understanding of the current threat environment. The position also requires strong writing and computer skills, the ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects in collaboration with various NJOHSP staff, the ability to adapt to a fluctuating workload, and the ability to work with individuals of all backgrounds. To apply, visit NJOHSP's careers web page.
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Upcoming Outreach Events
Learn About NJOHSP Training Programs at the 2025 NJEPA
 NJOHSP will have an informational booth at the 2025 New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Association Conference (NJEPA), taking place on April 9 and 10. Attendees can visit NJOHSP representatives at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, where they will be showcasing the agency's training and exercise programs. This event provides an excellent opportunity for emergency preparedness professionals from both New Jersey and across the region to learn more about NJOHSP's initiatives.
Upcoming Training Programs
NJOHSP-Coordinated Training
All NJOHSP-coordinated training courses are posted on the NJOHSP State Training Calendar. The calendar provides a course description, training location, target audience, and point of contact.
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Contact Information
For more information or to share feedback, please contact the Communications Bureau at communications@njohsp.gov.
The NJ Security Spotlight is a biweekly newsletter of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and is intended to provide constituents with important agency updates, publications, and announcements. Please visit njohsp.gov/connect/nj-security-spotlight to read previous newsletters.
Report Suspicious Activity: Call 1-866-4-SAFE-NJ or email tips@njohsp.gov.
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