US Indicts Slew of Alleged Chinese Hackers

The United States has taken significant action against a group of alleged Chinese hackers, indicting 10 individuals accused of collaborating on a years-long spy campaign that targeted victims across America and around the world.

Federal officials have described the suspects as "key players" in a network of hackers-for-hire linked to the Chinese government. Eight of the suspects are believed to have worked for Anxun Information Technology, also known as i-Soon, a company that has been implicated in several high-profile cyberattacks.

Two of the individuals accused were allegedly employed by the Chinese Ministry of Public Security. The indictment accuses i-Soon of charging Chinese intelligence agencies tens of thousands of dollars to hack into email inboxes and analyze them for sensitive information.

Targets of the Spy Campaign

The targets of the spy campaign included a range of organizations and individuals, including:

  • The US Defense Intelligence Agency
  • The US Department of Commerce
  • The foreign ministries of Taiwan, South Korea, India, and Indonesia
  • News organizations critical of China, including several in the United States
  • The New York State Assembly
  • Religious figures and groups, including a "large religious organization in the United States"

The indictment also reveals that hackers targeted individuals who were not necessarily government officials or employees of major corporations.

Sanctions Imposed on Chinese Tech Company

In addition to the indictments, the US Treasury has imposed sanctions on a Shanghai-based company and its owner, Zhou Shuai. The company, Shanghai Heiying Information Technology, was accused of selling illegally exfiltrated data and access to compromised computer networks.

Zhou Shuai is also an individual who has been implicated in several high-profile cyberattacks, including the theft of sensitive data from the US Treasury. His name has previously appeared on a list of sanctioned Chinese hackers.

Bounty Offered for Information

The US government is offering a $10 million bounty to anyone with information about the individuals involved in this spy campaign.

Department of Justice officials say that they have evidence showing that i-Soon was the primary entry point for many of these cyberattacks. The company, however, has denied any involvement in these activities.

The indictment says that the suspects used social media and other online platforms to recruit victims and gain access to sensitive information.

Global Reach of the Spy Campaign

The spy campaign is believed to have had a global reach, with hackers targeting organizations and individuals across multiple countries.

The operation highlights the growing threat posed by Chinese cyber espionage, which has been linked to several high-profile breaches over the years.

Experts say that this type of activity poses significant risks to national security and economic interests. The US government's actions demonstrate its commitment to protecting these interests from foreign threats.