Chinese Man Wanted for Stealing Covid Data Held in Italy: US
In a major breakthrough in the fight against cybercrime, the US Department of Justice has announced that a Chinese state-sponsored contract hacker, Xu Zewei, was arrested in Italy at the request of Washington. Xu Zewei 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 US Department of Justice issued a statement saying that Xu Zewei was arrested on July 1, 2025, in Rome, Italy, and is currently being held in custody pending extradition to the United States. The charges against Xu Zewei include conspiracy to commit computer fraud and wire fraud, as well as conspiracy to commit economic espionage.
According to the US Department of Justice, Xu Zewei was part of a hacking group known as APT41, which is believed to have stolen sensitive information related to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments from US-based pharmaceutical companies and research institutions. The stolen data was reportedly provided to Chinese intelligence agencies, who used it to further their own research and development efforts.
The investigation into Xu Zewei’s activities began in 2020, when US authorities first became aware of the hacking group’s activities. Over the course of several months, the group is believed to have stolen sensitive information from at least 12 US-based companies and institutions, including pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and government agencies.
The US Department of Justice has accused Xu Zewei of being a key player in the hacking group, and of having worked closely with Chinese intelligence agencies to steal the stolen data. The department has also accused Xu Zewei of having used his hacking skills to evade detection by US authorities, and of having attempted to destroy evidence of his crimes.
The Chinese government has previously denied any involvement in the hacking group, and has claimed that Xu Zewei was not a Chinese state-sponsored hacker. However, US authorities have presented evidence that suggests otherwise.
The arrest of Xu Zewei is the latest in a string of high-profile cases involving Chinese hackers accused of stealing sensitive information from the US. In recent years, US authorities have indicted several Chinese nationals for their involvement in hacking groups, and have accused the Chinese government of using these groups to steal sensitive information and disrupt the operations of US-based companies and institutions.
The US Department of Justice has said that it will continue to work closely with international law enforcement agencies to bring to justice those responsible for stealing sensitive information and disrupting the global economy.
The arrest of Xu Zewei is a significant development in the fight against cybercrime, and serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and cooperation in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
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