The text messages sent to the widow, who is also a journalist, were laced with exploits that would have turned her phone into a multifaceted surveillance device.

Pegasus is sold by NSO Group, an Israeli digital arms dealer that provides governments with tools meant only to help combat terrorism and criminal activity. But a growing body of research provides evidence that Pegasus increasingly is used by repressive governments to stifle investigative journalism, anti-corruption watchdogs and forms of political dissent.

Over $15 million was stolen from Mexican banks this month by thieves who created fake money orders and phony accounts to withdraw funds from dozens of branches.