Psychologist Accused of Massive Fraud, Forging Signatures for Millions

Jerusalem District Prosecutors have filed an indictment against Yosef Henenel, a 73-year-old Tel Aviv resident, for a series of fraud, signature forgery, and tax offenses totaling millions of shekels. Henenel, registered as a psychologist but not a certified expert, allegedly conducted 131 psychological assessments without proper qualifications. To legitimize these evaluations, he submitted them for signature to unqualified experts or, in 72 instances, forged the signatures of his professional colleagues without their knowledge. These fraudulent assessments were then provided to parents, diagnostic centers, and educational institutions, with Henenel charging approximately 2,000 shekels per assessment. Based on these false pretenses, the Ministry of Education approved educational accommodations and allocated student support funds totaling around 12.5 million shekels. The indictment, filed by attorneys Sarit Reich Abinial and Sharon Landau, also reveals that between 2012 and 2021, Henenel allegedly concealed 1.55 million shekels in income from the Tax Authority. He reportedly filed false reports claiming zero income despite earning money as a self-employed individual and failed to maintain proper accounting records. The investigation was a joint effort by the Jerusalem District of the Israel Police and the Tax Authority's investigative unit.