Unmasking State-Sponsored Cyber Espionage: US Charges 12 Chinese Hackers
In a significant legal move, US prosecutors have charged 12 Chinese nationals tied to a cyber espionage scheme alleged to have sold information on US-based dissidents to the Chinese government. This operation, characterized by the Justice Department (DOJ) as state-sponsored, also encompassed cyberattacks against various governmental entities including the Treasury.
The charges detail the hackers’ action against an American religious organization known for its critical stance towards the Chinese Communist Party, as well as a Hong Kong newspaper deemed oppositional to the PRC government. While specifics on the targeted US dissidents were withheld, the DOJ emphasized that these hackers were part of a broader context of cyber intrusions directed at US and foreign entities, including agencies in Taiwan, India, South Korea, and Indonesia.
The DOJ revealed that some of the charged individuals are affiliated with China’s Ministry of Public Security, and were reportedly operating under the guise of a private company named i-Soon. They supposedly charged Chinese government ministries between $10,000 to $75,000 for unauthorized access to email accounts, illustrating the profitable nature of these illicit cyber operations.
The announcement of these charges comes amid ongoing tensions between the US and China concerning cybersecurity, with China repeatedly denying similar allegations in the past, claiming such accusations are unfounded. Interestingly, the DOJ’s revelations follow previous warnings from the Treasury Department about significant breaches attributed to Chinese-sponsored hackers.
The DOJ has vowed to continue its efforts to uncover and dismantle the networks of what they describe as cyber mercenaries operating under the supervision of state agents. In pursuit of this goal, the US State Department is offering rewards up to $10 million for information leading to the identification and conviction of individuals involved in these cyber activities.