The U.S. Department of Justice has unsealed an indictment charging seven nationals of the People’s Republic of China with conspiracy to commit computer intrusions and wire fraud. The hacking group, known as Advanced Persistent Threat 31 (the APT31 Group), was involved in targeting U.S. and foreign critics, businesses, and political officials for approximately 14 years.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated, “The Justice Department will not tolerate efforts by the Chinese government to intimidate Americans who serve the public, silence the dissidents who are protected by American laws, or steal from American businesses.”
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco emphasized the global impact of the hacking operation, stating, “As alleged in today’s indictment, this prolific global hacking operation – backed by the PRC government – targeted journalists, political officials, and companies to repress critics of the Chinese regime, compromise government institutions, and steal trade secrets.”
FBI Director Christopher Wray highlighted the FBI's commitment to combating cyber espionage, stating, "As long as China continues to target the US and our partners, the FBI will continue to send a clear message that cyber espionage will not be tolerated."
The indictment reveals the extensive reach of the APT31 Group's activities, targeting thousands of individuals and companies worldwide. The group used sophisticated hacking techniques, including zero-day exploits, to compromise networks, email accounts, and trade secrets belonging to American businesses.
The defendants also targeted U.S. government officials, politicians, and campaign staff, as well as individuals and companies in critical industries such as defense, telecommunications, and finance. Additionally, they conducted cyber intrusions against dissidents and activists around the world who were perceived as challenging the Chinese government.
The FBI's Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran reaffirmed the agency's dedication to combating cyber threats, stating, "They serve as a reminder that cyber adversaries who seek to compromise our nation’s systems and target US officials cannot rely on the cloak of anonymity and will face consequences for their actions."
The indictment sheds light on the aggressive cyber espionage activities of the PRC Ministry of State Security and underscores the ongoing need for vigilance against cybersecurity threats. The U.S. Department of Justice remains committed to disrupting malicious cyber actors who threaten national security and fundamental freedoms worldwide.