US Indicts Slew of Alleged Chinese Hackers

The United States has taken a significant step against alleged Chinese hackers, announcing indictments against a group of individuals accused of collaborating to steal sensitive information from targets across America and around the world.

Federal officials have charged 10 people with crimes related to stealing data from their targets, with eight of those suspects working for Anxun Information Technology (i-Soon), a company described as "a key player in the PRC's hacker-for-hire ecosystem." Two other individuals were identified as being affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of Public Security.

The indictment alleges that i-Soon charged Chinese intelligence agencies to hack email inboxes, with additional payments for analyzing them. The prices ranged from $10,000 to $75,000 per inbox, making it a lucrative business for those involved.

Targets of the alleged hacking campaign included high-profile organizations such as the US Defense Intelligence Agency, the US Department of Commerce, and foreign ministries in Taiwan, South Korea, India, and Indonesia. News outlets critical of China were also on the hit list, including several prominent news organizations.

In addition to i-Soon, the indictment also mentions targets that included religious figures and groups, with one such group remaining unidentified but described as a "large religious organization in the United States."

Sanctions Imposed

Alongside the indictments, the US Treasury Department announced sanctions against Shanghai-based company Heiying Information Technology Company and its founder Zhou Shuai. The sanctions come after it was revealed that at least some of the data stolen from "highly sensitive US critical infrastructure networks" had been acquired by a previously sanctioned Chinese hacker named Yin Kecheng.

The Treasury Department stated that it was sanctioning Zhou and Yin for their role in selling illegally exfiltrated data and accessing compromised computer networks. This move marks another significant escalation in the US government's efforts to combat cybercrime and protect American interests abroad.

Bounty Offered

In a statement, the US Department of Justice announced that it was offering a $10 million bounty for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those involved in this alleged hacking campaign. This offer is part of an ongoing effort by the FBI and other agencies to track down and bring to justice individuals who engage in cybercrime against American targets.

With these indictments, sanctions, and bounty offer, the US government is sending a clear message that it will not tolerate such activities on its soil. As the global landscape of cybersecurity continues to evolve, one thing is certain: the US remains committed to protecting its citizens' sensitive information from foreign threats.