Five Chinese Military Members Charged in Multi-Million Dollar Cyber Heist
WASHINGTON – In a groundbreaking move, the US government has charged five members of the Chinese military with computer hacking, economic espionage, and other offenses directed at six American victims in the U.S. nuclear power, metals, and solar products industries. The charges were announced on Monday and mark the first time uniformed members of the Chinese military have been charged with such crimes.
Assistant Attorney General John Carlin delivered remarks at the Brookings Institute’s Emerging National Security Threats Forum, highlighting the growing threat of state-sponsored cyber intrusions targeting sensitive and proprietary information of U.S. companies. ‘We should not stand idly by, tacitly giving permission to anyone to steal from us,’ Carlin said. ‘We will hold accountable those who steal – no matter who they are, where they are, or whether they steal in person or through the Internet.’
The charges against the five Chinese military members were the result of a long and complex investigation, with prosecutors working closely with the FBI and other agencies to gather evidence and build a case. The victims of the cyber heist include companies in the nuclear, metals, and solar industries, with losses estimated to be in the millions of dollars.
The National Security Division, a unit within the Justice Department, played a key role in the investigation and prosecution of the case. The division was created in response to the threat of terrorism and has since been expanded to include cyber threats. ‘Our approach to these threats is deeply rooted in our Division’s history, and our success in the cyber arena builds upon a solid foundation,’ said Carlin.
The case is a significant step forward in the government’s efforts to combat cybercrime and protect American businesses from state-sponsored hacking. ‘As long as criminals continue stealing from American businesses, we will continue pursuing those criminals,’ Carlin said. ‘The criminal justice system must be a critical component of our nation’s cybersecurity strategy.’
Assistant Attorney General Carlin highlighted several high-profile cases in which the Justice Department has successfully prosecuted terrorists and cyber threats. ‘Just this week, Abu Hamza al-Masri was convicted by a jury in New York on eleven counts,’ he said. ‘He was involved in an attack in Yemen in December 1998 that resulted in the deaths of four hostages and provided material support to terrorists, including al Qaeda and the Taliban.’
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