Instant International
Written by: Liang Kaiyi
2020-09-17 00:16
Last update date: 2020-09-17 01:52
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on September 16 the prosecution of five Chinese citizens for alleged cyber intrusion into more than 100 companies and institutions in the U.S. and elsewhere, including social media and video game companies, as well as universities and telecommunications service providers.
Two Malaysian businessmen who conspired to invade a video game company were also charged.
Officials said that the scale of the invasion plan was large, targeting different business and academic circles, and was instigated by an organization called APT41.
The targets of the attacks include companies in the United States and overseas, such as software development companies, non-profit organizations, think tanks, foreign governments, Hong Kong democratic politicians and social activists.
According to the indictment, the hackers targeted a hotel chain headquartered in Hong Kong, two universities in Hong Kong, and five people from the Hong Kong democracy and independence movement.
These include a member of the Legislative Council, a founding member of the Civic Party, a former member of the Legislative Council, a person related to the Hong Kong Independence Movement and a democratic social activist who is currently involved in the "Hong Kong The District National Security Act is wanted by the Hong Kong police.
Officials believe that this network invasion is similar to other hacking operations directed or approved by the Chinese government.
Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen said that one of the defendants told his colleagues that he was acquainted with the Chinese Ministry of National Security and that unless something major happened, he would be protected.
Five Chinese citizens are currently at large.
The two Malaysian defendants have been arrested and will face extradition proceedings.
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