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A brazen state-sponsored hacker, Xu Zewei, 34, has finally been extradited to Houston to face nine-count charges for his alleged role in a massive computer intrusion campaign. The Chinese national’s hacking spree targeted thousands of computers worldwide, including US institutions, between February 2020 and June 2021.
The HAFNIUM intrusion campaign, which was allegedly part of Xu’s operation, compromised computers globally, while another wave targeted US COVID-19 research during the pandemic’s peak. Xu’s alleged hacking was directed by officers of the PRC’s Ministry of State Security’s Shanghai State Security Bureau.
Xu worked for Shanghai Powerock Network Co. Ltd, one of many Chinese companies enabling state-sponsored hacking. His alleged accomplice, Zhang Yu, 44, is also a PRC national. They allegedly used their positions to steal sensitive information from US institutions.
Acting US Attorney John G.E. Marck promised to protect American science and security. Xu’s extradition marks a major victory in the US’s pursuit of state-sponsored hackers who target American interests.
Xu is being held in custody pending a detention hearing set for April 30. His alleged crimes strike at the heart of American science and security, highlighting the ongoing threat of state-sponsored hacking.
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