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US Indicts Chinese Hackers and Sanctions Tech Company in Cyber Espionage Case
Indictments and Sanctions Announced
The United States announced indictments against ten alleged Chinese hackers, imposed sanctions on a Chinese technology company, and offered a $10 million bounty in response to a long-running cyber espionage campaign. According to federal officials, the hackers stole sensitive data from numerous targets across the U.S. and other countries.
Hackers and Their Alleged Affiliations
Among the ten suspects, eight individuals worked for Anxun Information Technology, commonly known as i-Soon, while two were affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of Public Security. Prosecutors described i-Soon as a central entity in China’s hacker-for-hire ecosystem.
Targets of the Cyber Espionage Campaign
The hacking operation targeted a range of organizations, including:
- The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency
- The U.S. Department of Commerce
- Foreign ministries of Taiwan, South Korea, India, and Indonesia
- News organizations critical of China
- The New York State Assembly
- Religious groups, including a major U.S.-based organization
Financial Aspects of the Operation
i-Soon allegedly charged Chinese intelligence agencies between $10,000 and $75,000 per successfully hacked email inbox. Additional payments were made for analyzing the obtained data.
Response from China
The Chinese embassy in Washington condemned the U.S. actions, stating opposition to sanctions and legal actions against Chinese individuals and companies. A spokesperson emphasized that China would take necessary measures to protect its citizens and businesses.
Further Sanctions on Shanghai-Based Company
In a separate move, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Shanghai Heiying Information Technology Company and its founder, Zhou Shuai. The company was accused of stealing and selling data from U.S. critical infrastructure networks. Some of the stolen data was reportedly acquired by Yin Kecheng, a previously sanctioned Chinese hacker linked to breaches at the U.S. Treasury Department.
Ongoing Investigations and Legal Action
Zhou and Yin were also indicted, as the U.S. continues to crack down on cyber threats linked to China. The latest actions signal a broader effort by the U.S. government to address cyber espionage through legal, economic, and diplomatic means.
“US Indicts Chinese Hackers and Sanctions Tech Company in Cyber Espionage Case” “US Indicts Chinese Hackers and Sanctions Tech Company in Cyber Espionage Case”