Chinese Man Wanted for Stealing Covid Data Held in Italy: US
In a significant development, the US Department of Justice has announced that a Chinese state-sponsored contract hacker, Xu Zewei, has been arrested in Italy at the request of Washington. Xu, a 32-year-old Chinese national, is alleged to be part of a hacking group that stole COVID-19 vaccine secrets from the US on behalf of Chinese intelligence at the height of the pandemic in 2020.
According to a statement released by the US Department of Justice, Xu was arrested on July 6, 2025, in Rome, Italy, after being tracked down by Italian authorities. The arrest was the result of a joint operation between the US Department of Justice, the Italian authorities, and the European Union’s judicial agency, Eurojust.
The US Department of Justice has accused Xu of being a contract hacker working on behalf of the Chinese government. Xu is alleged to have been part of a hacking group known as APT41, which was responsible for stealing intellectual property and sensitive data from companies and organizations around the world.
The hacking group, which was also known as “Winnti,” is believed to have stolen sensitive information related to COVID-19 vaccine development, including research data and intellectual property. The stolen data was allegedly used by Chinese intelligence to gain an advantage in the global vaccine development race.
The US Department of Justice has accused Xu of conspiring with other hackers to steal the sensitive information and transmit it back to China. The department has also accused Xu of using sophisticated hacking techniques, including phishing and malware attacks, to gain unauthorized access to computers and networks.
The arrest of Xu is a significant development in the ongoing efforts of the US Department of Justice to combat state-sponsored hacking. The department has been working to track down and prosecute hackers who are sponsored by foreign governments and are using their skills to steal sensitive information.
The Chinese government has previously denied any involvement in the hacking of COVID-19 vaccine data. However, the US Department of Justice has accused Xu and his co-conspirators of working on behalf of the Chinese government to steal the sensitive information.
The arrest of Xu is a significant blow to the Chinese government’s efforts to steal sensitive information from around the world. The US Department of Justice has accused the Chinese government of engaging in a “whole-of-government” effort to steal intellectual property and sensitive data from companies and organizations around the world.
The US Department of Justice has been working to combat state-sponsored hacking for several years. The department has arrested and prosecuted numerous hackers who are sponsored by foreign governments and are using their skills to steal sensitive information.
The arrest of Xu is a significant development in the ongoing efforts of the US Department of Justice to combat state-sponsored hacking. The department is committed to protecting the intellectual property and sensitive data of companies and organizations around the world from the threat of state-sponsored hacking.
The case against Xu is a reminder of the importance of protecting sensitive information from the threat of state-sponsored hacking. Companies and organizations around the world must be vigilant in protecting their intellectual property and sensitive data from the threat of hacking.
The arrest of Xu is also a significant development in the ongoing efforts of the US Department of Justice to hold accountable those who engage in state-sponsored hacking. The department is committed to pursuing those who engage in this illegal activity, regardless of their location or the country they are sponsored by.
In conclusion, the arrest of Xu Zewei, a Chinese state-sponsored contract hacker, is a significant development in the ongoing efforts of the US Department of Justice to combat state-sponsored hacking. Xu is alleged to have stolen COVID-19 vaccine secrets from the US on behalf of Chinese intelligence at the height of the pandemic in 2020. The arrest is a reminder of the importance of protecting sensitive information from the threat of state-sponsored hacking and the commitment of the US Department of Justice to pursuing those who engage in this illegal activity.
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