Hooman Heidarian, Cyber Theft and Defacement, New Jersey 2020
Iranian Nationals Charged in Cyber Theft and Defacement Campaign Against Computer Systems
Newark, N.J. - Two Iranian nationals have been charged in connection with a coordinated cyber intrusion campaign targeting computers in New Jersey and around the world, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.
Hooman Heidarian, a/k/a “neo,” 30, and Mehdi Farhadi, a/k/a “Mehdi Mahdavi” and “Mohammad Mehdi Farhadi Ramin,” 34, both of Hamedan, Iran, are each charged in a 10-count indictment returned Sept. 15, 2020, with: one count each of conspiracy to commit fraud and related activity in connection with computers and access devices; computer fraud - unauthorized access to protected computers: computer fraud, unauthorized damage to protected computers; conspiracy to commit wire fraud; and access device fraud; and five counts of aggravated identity theft.
“These Iranian nationals allegedly conducted a wide-ranging campaign on computers here in New Jersey and around the world,” U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. “They brazenly infiltrated computer systems and targeted intellectual property and often sought to intimidate perceived enemies of Iran, including dissidents fighting for human rights in Iran and around the world. This conduct threatens our national security, and as a result, these defendants are wanted by the FBI and are considered fugitives from justice.”
The indictment alleges that beginning in at least 2013, the defendants were responsible for a coordinated campaign of cyber intrusions into computer systems in New Jersey and around the world. The victims included several American and foreign universities, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, a defense contractor, an aerospace company, a foreign policy organization, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), non-profits, and foreign government and other entities identified as rivals or adversaries to Iran around the world.
The stolen data was typically highly protected and extremely sensitive, and included confidential communications pertaining to national security, foreign policy intelligence, non-military nuclear information, aerospace data, human rights activist information, victim financial information and personally identifiable information, and intellectual property, including unpublished scientific research. The defendants also often vandalized websites using the pseudonym “Sejeal” and posted messages that appeared to signa
The defendants are considered fugitives from justice and are wanted by the FBI. The indictment was returned on Sept. 15, 2020. No sentence or outcome has been determined at this time.
Defendant Information:
- Hooman Heidarian, a/k/a “neo,” 30, of Hamedan, Iran.
- Mehdi Farhadi, a/k/a “Mehdi Mahdavi” and “Mohammad Mehdi Farhadi Ramin,” 34, of Hamedan, Iran.
Criminal Charges:
- Conspiracy to commit fraud and related activity in connection with computers and access devices.
- Computer fraud - unauthorized access to protected computers.
- Computer fraud, unauthorized damage to protected computers.
- Conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
- Access device fraud.
- Five counts of aggravated identity theft.
City and State:
Newark, NJ
Exact Date:
Sept. 15, 2020
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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