Chinese Man Wanted for Stealing Covid Data Held in Italy: US
In a major breakthrough, 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 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.
The news comes as a significant development in the ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and protect sensitive information. The arrest of Xu Zewei is seen as a major victory for the US authorities, who have been working tirelessly to track down and bring to justice those responsible for the theft of vital data.
According to the US Department of Justice, Xu Zewei was arrested on July 5, 2025, in Italy, following a request from Washington. He is currently being held in Italy pending extradition to the United States to face charges.
The hacking group, allegedly led by Xu, is accused of stealing confidential information related to COVID-19 vaccine development from numerous US companies and research institutions. The stolen data was then allegedly used by Chinese intelligence to further their own vaccine development efforts.
The US Department of Justice has charged Xu with one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit economic espionage.
“The theft of trade secrets and confidential information is a serious violation of the law and can have significant consequences for American businesses and research institutions,” said US Attorney General, Merrick Garland. “We will continue to work tirelessly to protect American intellectual property and bring those responsible to justice.”
The Chinese government has previously denied any involvement in the theft of COVID-19 vaccine data. However, the arrest of Xu Zewei has raised fresh concerns about the extent of Chinese state-sponsored hacking and cyber espionage.
The hacking group, which is believed to be linked to the Chinese Ministry of State Security, is accused of using sophisticated methods to steal data, including phishing emails and malware attacks. The stolen data was then allegedly used to further Chinese vaccine development efforts, as well as to gain an advantage in the global vaccine market.
The arrest of Xu Zewei is seen as a major blow to the hacking group and a significant success for the US authorities. It is hoped that the case will serve as a warning to other hackers and cybercriminals that the US will not tolerate the theft of sensitive information.
The case is also seen as a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity and the need for businesses and research institutions to take robust measures to protect their data. The US Department of Justice has urged companies and institutions to report any suspected cyber incidents and to work closely with law enforcement agencies to prevent and prosecute cybercrime.
The arrest of Xu Zewei is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and protect sensitive information. It is hoped that the case will serve as a warning to other hackers and cybercriminals that the US will not tolerate the theft of sensitive information.
Source:
