On Tuesday, the US Department of Justice(local time) convicted 2 Chinese nationals of spying charges for targeting computer networks of biotech firms around the world working on coronavirus vaccines, technology & treatments.
The Department said that "Two Chinese hackers working with the Ministry of State Security charged with global computer intrusion campaign targeting intellectual property & confidential business information, including COVID-19 research".
The 11-count indictment alleged that the 2 former computer engineers, identified as Li Xiaoyu, 34, & Dong Jiazhi, 33, conducted a hacking campaign lasting more than ten years to the present, targeting companies in countries with high technology industries, including the United States, Australia, Belgium, Germany, Japan, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, & the United Kingdom.
It was also alleged that the two had hacked companies engaged in high-tech manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, & gaming software development, & with targeting dissidents, clergy & human rights activists in the United States, China, and Hong Kong.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C Demers said that "China has now taken its place, alongside Russia, Iran & North Korea, in that shameful club of nations that provide a safe haven for cybercriminals in exchange for those criminals being 'on call' to work for the benefit of the state, here to feed the Chinese Communist party's insatiable hunger for American & other non-Chinese companies' hard-earned intellectual property, including COVID-19 research".
FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich said that "Today's indictment demonstrates the serious consequences the Chinese MSS & its proxies will face if they continue to deploy malicious cyber tactics to either steal what they cannot create or silence what they do not want to hear".
"Cybercrimes directed by the Chinese government's intelligence services not only threaten the United States but also every other country that supports fair play, international norms, & the rule of law, & it also seriously undermines China's desire to become a respected leader in world affairs. The FBI & our international partners will not stand idly by to this threat, & we are committed to holding the Chinese government accountable," he added.
The Department said that the complicated nature of cyber investigations is only exacerbated when the criminal is backed by the resources of a foreign government. The nature & value of the material stolen by these hackers cannot just be measured in dollars & was indicative of being state-driven.
According to the indictment, to gain initial access to victim networks, the defendants primarily exploited publicly known software vulnerabilities in popular web server software, web application development suites, & software collaboration programs.
The indictment charges the defendants with conspiring to steal trade secrets from at least eight known victims, which consisted of technology designs, manufacturing processes, test mechanisms & results, source code, & pharmaceutical chemical structures, the Department said.
The defendants have each been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit theft of trade secrets, which carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of unauthorised access of a computer, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; & seven counts of aggravated identity theft, which each carries a mandatory sentence of two non-consecutive years in prison.
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