US authorities on Monday announced the indictment of seven Chinese nationals belonging to the APT31 Hacker Group, which is linked to the Chinese Ministry of State Security and has been collecting information on dissidents from the Chinese Communist Party (CPP) for 14 years. And also about American politicians and businessmen. It is a “large-scale illegal hacking operation” to obtain “sensitive data from elected officials, US officials, journalists, and academics, and valuable information from US companies and political opponents,” according to the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. Brion peace.
The Ministry of Justice explained in a statement that the seven suspects were charged with conspiracy to commit computer intrusions and conspiracy to commit fraud by electronic means for their involvement in the APT31 Hacking Group. The memo said the organization spied from China on “foreigners critical of Chinese authorities, businessmen, and political officials to further China’s economic espionage and intelligence objectives abroad.”
The accused are I won't answer you38 years; Weng Ming37 years; Cheng Feng34 years; Peng Yawen38 years; Sun Xiaohui38; Xiong Wang35, and Zhao Guangzong, 38, all of whom are “allegedly residents of the People’s Republic of China,” according to the Department of Justice. The group was part of a computer espionage program of the Hubei Prefecture Security Administration, under the Chinese government's Ministry of State Security, which is headquartered in Wuhan. From there, the defendants have now launched global hacking campaigns against targets inside and outside China, in some cases achieving their goal and gaining access to private networks, email accounts, web storage and phone calls.
“Some of these espionage operations have been ongoing for several years,” the Justice Department warned in its letter, which it says does not tolerate “the Chinese government’s maneuvers to intimidate Americans in public office, silence dissidents protected by U.S. laws, or steal American companies.”
Attorney general, Merrick GarlandHe alluded to “malicious cyber operations to threaten the national security of the United States and our allies.” According to their statement, the hacker group sent “more than 10,000 malicious emails” to thousands of victims on several continents in an operation “supported” by the Chinese government. The Deputy Public Prosecutor explained that the targets were journalists, public officials and companies. Lisa Monaco. Director of the US Federal Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Christopher RayFor its part, it warned of China's “continuous and brazen attempts to undermine our country's cybersecurity and attack Americans and our innovations.”
On the same Monday, the UK also accused China of carrying out cyber attacks against the British Electoral Commission and against several parliamentarians in 2021, and in response announced sanctions and would recall the Chinese ambassador. Zheng Zhiguang. The British Deputy Prime Minister admitted: “I can confirm that agents linked to the Chinese state were responsible for two cyber campaigns targeting our democratic institutions and parliaments.” Oliver DowdenThis was during his speech in the House of Commons.
“We have seen this in China’s continued disregard for universal human rights and international obligations in Xinjiang, China’s eradication of dissenting voices and suppression of dissent under Hong Kong’s new national security law, and disturbing reports of Chinese intimidation and aggressive behavior in Hong Kong.” “It will not hesitate to adopt 'strong and swift action when the Chinese government threatens UK interests,'” said Dowden, who reiterated that the UK's China policy is based on “national interests”.
Former Prime Minister and current Minister of Foreign Affairs, David CameronHe, who is seen as a figure close to Beijing, considered it “completely unacceptable for Chinese state organizations and individuals to target our democratic institutions and political processes.” The Foreign Ministry head said he raised the matter directly with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, and noted that sanctions had been imposed on two individuals and one entity “involved with groups affiliated with China.”
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