A shocking case of espionage has come to light in New York, where a US citizen and four Chinese intelligence officers have been charged with spying on prominent pro-democracy activists, dissidents, and human rights leaders.
The indictment, returned yesterday in federal court in Brooklyn, charges Shujun Wang, a US citizen and Queens resident, and four officials from China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS), with conspiracy and other charges related to an espionage and transnational repression scheme.
The four MSS officers are Feng He, also known as “Boss He,” Jie Ji, Ming Li, also known as “Elder Tang” and “Little Li,” and Keqing Lu, also known as “Boss Lu.” Wang was previously arrested on March 16, 2022, pursuant to a criminal complaint, and he will be arraigned at a later date. He, Ji, Li, and Lu remain at large.
According to the indictment, Wang acted as a covert intelligence asset in his own community, spying on and reporting sensitive information on prominent pro-democracy activists and organizations to his co-defendants: members of the Chinese government’s Ministry of State Security.
The indictment alleges that Wang communicated and provided information to the MSS, including to He, Ji, Li, and Lu, by using encrypted messaging applications and emails, as well as during face-to-face meetings in the PRC. Wang often memorialized the information he collected in email “diaries” to be accessed by the MSS.
Wang is a well-known academic and author who helped start a pro-democracy organization in Queens that opposes the current communist regime in China. However, as alleged, since at least 2011, Wang has used his position and status within the Chinese diaspora and dissident communities to covertly collect information about prominent activists and human rights leaders on behalf of the MSS and PRC.
The indictment exposes and disrupts an operation by the PRC that threatens the safety and freedom of Chinese nationals residing in the United States on account of their pro-democracy beliefs and speech. Our Office and our law enforcement partners will remain vigilant to thwart foreign espionage activities aimed at our citizens and residents.
Defendant: Shujun Wang
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy, other charges related to an espionage and transnational repression scheme
City and State: Brooklyn, New York
Date: March 16, 2022
Sentence or Outcome: Currently pending arraignment
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Espionage
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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