CLEVELAND – In a stunning blow to cybercriminals, Davis Lu, a Chinese national, has been sentenced to 48 months in prison for orchestrating a devastating attack on an Ohio-based global corporation’s computer network.
Lu, 55, a Houston resident with legal U.S. work authorization, was convicted by a federal jury in March of intentionally damaging protected computers. The sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Pamela A. Barker on Aug. 21 also mandates three years of supervised release following his imprisonment.
The Justice Department’s Criminal Division has deemed Lu’s actions as an act of sabotage that breached the trust of his employer, resulting in significant financial loss for the company. Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti emphasized the commitment to prosecute those who attack U.S. companies, regardless of their location.
U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio highlighted the criminal nature of Lu’s actions and commended the FBI Cleveland Division for its pivotal role in the investigation. Lu, employed as a software developer from 2007 to 2019, began tampering with his employer’s systems in 2018, following a reduction in responsibilities. His malicious activities led to system crashes, prevented user logins, and caused global disruptions when he triggered a “kill switch” upon termination.
Lu’s internet search history indicated intent to obstruct justice by researching methods to hide evidence. The attack resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses for his employer. Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of the FBI’s Cyber Division praised the cyber team’s dedication, ensuring that those who deploy malicious code are held accountable.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential damage one individual can cause and underscores the importance of identifying and prosecuting such acts swiftly and effectively.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Cybercrime|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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