US Department Of Justice Accuses Seven Chinese Citizens Of Cyber Attack

US Justice Department Logo (photo: x @TheJusticeDept)

JAKARTA - The United States (US) Department of Justice on Monday, March 25, disclosed charges against seven Chinese citizens for their involvement in hacking groups that have targeted US and foreign critics, journalists, businesses, and political officials for more than 14 years.

The defendants, including Ni Gaobin, Weng Ming, Cheng Feng, Peng Yaowen, Sun Xiaohui, Xiong Wang, and Zhao Guangzong, were charged with conspiracy to commit computer intrusion and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. They are linked to a threat group backed by the state known as APT31 or also known as Altaire, Bronze Vinewood, Judge Panda, and Violet Typhoon.

The hacking group, which has been active since at least 2010, has been responsible for a series of attacks aimed at advancing China's economic spy agenda and foreign intelligence. They are accused of various actions, ranging from testing and utilizing malicious software to conducting surveillance of certain US entities.

Ni Gaobin and Zhao Guangzong are also accused of being linked to the Wuhan Xiaoruizhi Science and Technology Company, Limited (Wuhan XRZ), which is suspected of having carried out several malicious cyber operations on behalf of China's Ministry of State Security (MSS).

In addition, the US and UK have announced prizes of up to 10 million US dollars (Rp157 billion) for information that could lead to the identification or arrest of individuals linked to APT31. The two countries have also imposed sanctions on Gaobin, Guangzong, and Wuhan XRZ over the dangers of national security posed and targeting lawmakers around the world.

These allegations came after the British government accused APT31 of a "dangerous cyber campaign" aimed at the British Election Commission and politicians. Violations of the Election Commission resulted in unauthorized access to voter data of 40 million people.

Meanwhile, China rejected the allegations and called them "unfounded forgery" and "bad slander". China insists that tracing the origins of cyber attacks is very complex and sensitive, and calls for related parties to stop the spread of disinformation.

The indictment reveals the serious level of cyber threats faced by countries around the world and highlights the importance of international cooperation to fight cybercrime.