Chinese Man Wanted for Stealing Covid Data Held in Italy: US
In a significant breakthrough in the ongoing battle against cybercrime, 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 alleged hacker is believed to be part of a hacking group that stole sensitive COVID-19 vaccine secrets from the US on behalf of Chinese intelligence during the height of the pandemic in 2020.
The news of Xu’s arrest comes as a major blow to the Chinese government, which has repeatedly denied any involvement in the theft of the sensitive data. However, the US authorities are adamant that Xu was acting on behalf of Chinese intelligence agencies, and his arrest is a significant victory in their efforts to combat cybercrime.
According to a statement issued by the US Department of Justice, Xu was arrested in Italy last week and is currently being held pending extradition to the US. The department alleges that Xu was part of a hacking group known as APT41, which was responsible for a series of high-profile cyberattacks on behalf of Chinese intelligence agencies.
The group is believed to have stolen sensitive data from a number of high-profile targets, including pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and government agencies. The stolen data included confidential information about COVID-19 vaccines, as well as sensitive research and development materials.
The US Department of Justice has accused Xu of playing a key role in the hacking group’s operations, and has charged him with conspiracy to commit computer fraud and related offenses. If convicted, Xu faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The arrest of Xu is the latest in a series of high-profile cases involving Chinese state-sponsored hackers. In recent years, the US has accused China of conducting a range of cyberattacks on its soil, including the theft of sensitive data and intellectual property.
The Chinese government has repeatedly denied any involvement in these activities, and has accused the US of spreading misinformation and trying to discredit China. However, the US has continued to accuse China of engaging in cybercrime, and has imposed a range of sanctions on Chinese individuals and companies accused of involvement in these activities.
The arrest of Xu is likely to be seen as a significant escalation in the US-China cyber rivalry. The US has been increasing its efforts to combat cybercrime in recent years, and has been working closely with its international partners to share intelligence and coordinate efforts to disrupt the activities of cybercriminals.
The arrest of Xu is also likely to have significant implications for the development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. The theft of sensitive data and intellectual property can have significant consequences for the development of new treatments and vaccines, and can undermine efforts to combat the pandemic.
In a statement released after Xu’s arrest, the US Department of Justice said that it was committed to holding accountable those who engage in cybercrime, and that it would continue to work closely with its international partners to disrupt the activities of cybercriminals.
“We will not tolerate the theft of sensitive data and intellectual property, and we will continue to take action to hold accountable those who engage in cybercrime,” said John Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security.
The arrest of Xu is a significant victory for the US in its efforts to combat cybercrime, and is likely to be seen as a major blow to the Chinese government. However, the case is also likely to be closely watched, as it highlights the ongoing threat posed by state-sponsored hackers and the need for international cooperation to combat cybercrime.
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