Chinese Man Wanted for Stealing Covid Data Held in Italy: US
In a significant breakthrough in the ongoing struggle against cybercrime, the US Department of Justice has announced the arrest of a Chinese state-sponsored contract hacker, Xu Zewei, in Italy at the request of Washington. The 33-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.
The US Department of Justice claimed that Xu Zewei was arrested last week in Italy, where he had been hiding for several years. The arrest was the result of a joint effort between the US and Italian authorities, who worked together to track down and apprehend the suspect.
According to the US Department of Justice, Xu Zewei was a member of a hacking group known as Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) 41, which is believed to be sponsored by the Chinese government. The group was accused of stealing sensitive data, including COVID-19 vaccine secrets, from various organizations and governments around the world.
The US Department of Justice alleged that Xu Zewei and his colleagues were hired by Chinese intelligence to steal the COVID-19 vaccine secrets from the US, with the goal of giving China a competitive advantage in the development of its own vaccine. The stolen data was then allegedly used by Chinese researchers to develop their own vaccine, which was later approved for use in China.
The Chinese government has previously denied any involvement in the hacking incident, and it is unclear whether Xu Zewei will be extradited to the US to face trial. However, the arrest of Xu Zewei is a significant blow to Chinese intelligence and a major victory for the US Department of Justice in its efforts to combat cybercrime.
The hack, which was first reported in 2020, was one of the most significant cybersecurity breaches in history, with millions of records stolen from various organizations and governments around the world. The hack was attributed to APT 41, which is believed to be sponsored by the Chinese government.
The US Department of Justice has accused Xu Zewei of conspiring to commit computer fraud and identity theft, as well as conspiracy to commit wire fraud. If convicted, Xu Zewei faces up to 20 years in prison.
The arrest of Xu Zewei is a significant development in the ongoing struggle against cybercrime, and it sends a strong message to hackers and cybercriminals around the world that they will be held accountable for their actions.
Background of the Hack
The hack, which was first reported in 2020, was one of the most significant cybersecurity breaches in history. The hack was attributed to APT 41, which is believed to be sponsored by the Chinese government.
According to the US Department of Justice, Xu Zewei and his colleagues were hired by Chinese intelligence to steal sensitive data, including COVID-19 vaccine secrets, from various organizations and governments around the world. The stolen data was then allegedly used by Chinese researchers to develop their own vaccine, which was later approved for use in China.
The hack was carried out using sophisticated malware and hacking techniques, and it is believed that the hackers gained access to the systems of various organizations and governments around the world.
International Cooperation
The arrest of Xu Zewei is a significant development in the ongoing struggle against cybercrime, and it highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating cybercrime.
The US Department of Justice has worked closely with Italian authorities to track down and apprehend Xu Zewei, and the arrest is a testament to the strong relationship between the two countries in combating cybercrime.
The arrest also highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating cybercrime, and it demonstrates that hackers and cybercriminals will be held accountable for their actions, regardless of where they are hiding.
Conclusion
The arrest of Xu Zewei is a significant development in the ongoing struggle against cybercrime, and it sends a strong message to hackers and cybercriminals around the world that they will be held accountable for their actions.
The hack, which was first reported in 2020, was one of the most significant cybersecurity breaches in history, and it highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating cybercrime.
The US Department of Justice has worked closely with Italian authorities to track down and apprehend Xu Zewei, and the arrest is a testament to the strong relationship between the two countries in combating cybercrime.
As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of cybercrime, the arrest of Xu Zewei is a significant reminder of the importance of international cooperation and the need for governments and organizations around the world to work together to combat cybercrime.
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