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. The arrest comes after a lengthy investigation into a hacking group that allegedly stole COVID-19 vaccine secrets from the US on behalf of Chinese intelligence at the height of the pandemic in 2020.
According to reports, Xu Zewei was arrested last week in Italy, where he had been hiding since fleeing China. The 33-year-old hacker is believed to be a key member of a sophisticated hacking group that was sponsored by the Chinese government.
The hacking group, known as “APT41,” was accused of stealing sensitive data related to COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, and diagnostic tests from various US-based companies, research institutions, and government agencies. The stolen data was allegedly used by Chinese intelligence services to gain a competitive edge in the development and manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
The US Department of Justice described Xu Zewei as a “highly skilled and sophisticated contractor hacker” who was paid by the Chinese government to steal sensitive information on behalf of Chinese intelligence services. The department alleged that Xu Zewei was part of a “sophisticated and well-funded” hacking group that used a range of tactics, including phishing emails, malware attacks, and social engineering, to gain access to sensitive computer systems.
The arrest of Xu Zewei is a significant blow to the Chinese government, which has long been accused of using hacking and cyber espionage to gain access to sensitive information and gain a competitive edge in various fields, including technology and biotechnology.
The Chinese government has previously denied any involvement in hacking and cyber espionage, and has accused the US of using such claims as a pretext to smear China and undermine its global influence.
However, the US Department of Justice has presented evidence that suggests otherwise. According to court documents, Xu Zewei was paid by the Chinese government to hack into various US-based companies and research institutions, and was provided with detailed instructions on how to steal sensitive data.
The stolen data was allegedly used by Chinese intelligence services to gain a competitive edge in the development and manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. According to reports, the Chinese government used the stolen data to develop its own COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, and to gain a competitive edge in the global market.
The arrest of Xu Zewei is a significant development in the ongoing battle against cybercrime and cyber espionage. It highlights the need for governments and private companies to take robust measures to protect their computer systems and networks from hacking and cyber attacks.
The US Department of Justice has vowed to continue to pursue those responsible for stealing sensitive data and to hold them accountable for their actions. In a statement, the department said that it would “not tolerate the theft of intellectual property and other sensitive information by foreign governments and their contractors.”
The arrest of Xu Zewei is a significant blow to the Chinese government, which has long been accused of using hacking and cyber espionage to gain access to sensitive information and gain a competitive edge in various fields. It highlights the need for countries to work together to combat cybercrime and cyber espionage, and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
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