LONDON, April 30 (Reuters) - An Israeli private

investigator wanted by the United States for allegedly carrying

out a "hacking for hire" campaign at the behest of an Exxon

Mobil ( XOM ) lobbyist on Wednesday lost his fight against

extradition from Britain.

Amit Forlit, 57, is facing charges of wire fraud, conspiracy

to commit wire fraud and computer hacking relating to his

alleged targeting of environmental activists, his lawyers said

in January, confirming Reuters' earlier reporting.

Forlit, who was arrested at London's Heathrow Airport last

year, argued he should not be sent to the U.S. because - as his

charges relate to climate change litigation against Exxon - his

prosecution is "unquestionably political".

His objections to extradition were rejected and his case was

sent to British ministers to decide whether to send Forlit to

the U.S., though Forlit can challenge the decision at the High

Court.