US prosecutors have charged 12 Chinese nationals for their involvement in a large-scale cyber hacking operation. The accused allegedly sold sensitive data of US-based dissidents to the Chinese government. The Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed that the hackers also targeted government agencies, including the US Treasury.
The cyber operation did not stop at government systems. Reports indicate that hackers attacked a religious organization known for sending missionaries to China and a Hong Kong newspaper critical of the Chinese government. The DOJ stated that the hacking group operated under the name i-Soon and worked closely with Chinese ministries. The company reportedly charged between $10,000 and $75,000 per compromised email inbox.
Two of the accused individuals were identified as officers from China’s Ministry of Public Security. They allegedly conducted cyber intrusions both under government direction and for their own profit. DOJ officials emphasized that these cyberattacks were part of a larger strategy to gather intelligence and suppress opposition to the Chinese government.
This is not the first time Chinese hackers have been accused of targeting international entities. Last December, the US Treasury Department reported a significant breach by suspected Chinese-sponsored hackers. Similar cyber activities have also been linked to attacks on the UK’s Electoral Commission and government institutions in Taiwan, India, South Korea, and Indonesia.
The FBI has previously warned about cyber threats from state-backed actors. Last year, US officials charged seven Chinese nationals for running a 14-year-long hacking operation that targeted critics of the Chinese government. With increasing cybersecurity threats worldwide, authorities continue to monitor and take action against state-sponsored hacking activities.
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