Chinese Man Wanted for Stealing Covid Data Held in Italy: US
The US Department of Justice has made a significant breakthrough in its efforts to combat cybercrime, announcing the arrest of a Chinese state-sponsored contract hacker in Italy at the request of Washington. Xu Zewei, a 37-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 the US Department of Justice, Xu Zewei was taken into custody in Italy on July 6, 2025, after being identified as a key member of a hacking group that targeted several US companies and organizations in the healthcare and biotechnology sectors. The group, which was sponsored by the Chinese government, is believed to have stolen sensitive information related to COVID-19 vaccine development, including intellectual property and trade secrets.
The US Department of Justice alleges that Xu Zewei and his associates stole the stolen data, which was then used by Chinese intelligence to further their own interests and gain a competitive advantage in the global vaccine market. The stolen data was allegedly used to aid Chinese vaccine development and manufacturing, as well as to disrupt the efforts of US companies to develop and distribute COVID-19 vaccines.
The arrest of Xu Zewei is a significant victory for the US Department of Justice, which has been working closely with Italian authorities to bring the Chinese national to justice. The US Department of Justice has praised the Italian authorities for their cooperation and assistance in the investigation and arrest of Xu Zewei.
“We are grateful to the Italian authorities for their assistance in this matter,” said a spokesperson for the US Department of Justice. “The arrest of Xu Zewei is a significant step forward in our efforts to combat cybercrime and protect American intellectual property and national security.”
The Chinese government has previously denied any involvement in the theft of COVID-19 vaccine secrets, but the US Department of Justice has presented evidence that suggests otherwise. According to the US Department of Justice, Xu Zewei and his associates were in constant contact with Chinese intelligence officials, who provided them with guidance and direction on their hacking operations.
The US Department of Justice has also presented evidence that suggests that the stolen data was used by Chinese companies to develop their own COVID-19 vaccines, which were then distributed in China and other countries. The US Department of Justice has alleged that the Chinese government’s involvement in the theft of COVID-19 vaccine secrets was part of a broader effort to undermine the global response to the pandemic and to gain a competitive advantage in the global vaccine market.
The arrest of Xu Zewei comes at a time when tensions between the US and China are already high. The two countries have been engaged in a trade war for several years, and there have been concerns about the potential for Chinese espionage and intellectual property theft.
The US Department of Justice has been working closely with other countries to combat cybercrime and protect intellectual property and national security. The department has launched several investigations into Chinese hacking operations in recent years, and has brought charges against several Chinese nationals for their involvement in cybercrime.
The arrest of Xu Zewei is a significant development in the ongoing struggle against cybercrime and intellectual property theft. It is a reminder of the need for continued cooperation and coordination between countries to protect our intellectual property and national security.
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