U.S. Department of Justice Charges 12 Chinese Nationals in Cyber Espionage Campaign

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced charges against 12 Chinese citizens for allegedly orchestrating cyber espionage campaigns targeting U.S. government agencies, universities, media outlets, and Chinese dissidents. Among the accused are law enforcement officers and employees of a private hacking company, highlighting the involvement of both state and non-state actors in these operations.

The charges come at a time when the U.S. government has been warning about advanced cyber threats emanating from China, including the hacking of telecom companies. One notable example is the “Salt Typhoon” attack from last year, which compromised private text messages and phone conversations of several U.S. government officials and prominent public figures.

The indicted individuals include leaders and founders of the hacking company iSoon, a group allegedly involved in extensive cyber espionage activities. Among them is Wu Huabo, a Shanghai-based hacker and former member of China’s first hacktivist group, Green Army. Hacktivists are individuals who use hacking to promote political or social change.

According to the indictment, iSoon targeted a wide range of entities, including Chinese dissidents, religious organizations, and U.S.-based media outlets critical of the Chinese Communist Party. The group also allegedly focused on defense intelligence agencies, research universities, and critics of China residing in the U.S.

Leaked documents cited by the Associated Press (AP) reveal that iSoon also targeted governments in India, Taiwan, and Mongolia, indicating the global scope of its operations.

In response to the charges, Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, dismissed the allegations as “ridiculous” and called on the relevant parties to present concrete evidence rather than basing accusations on speculation.

This case underscores the growing tensions between the U.S. and China over cybersecurity issues. The DOJ’s actions reflect ongoing efforts to hold foreign actors accountable for cyberattacks that threaten U.S. national security and privacy.

Key Points:

• 12 Chinese nationals charged with cyber espionage targeting U.S. entities.
• Accused include employees of hacking company iSoon and law enforcement officers.
• Targets included dissidents, media outlets, defense agencies, and universities.
• Alleged operations linked to the “Salt Typhoon” attack on U.S. telecom systems.
• China dismisses allegations, demanding evidence over speculation.

(This report includes information from the Associated Press.)