Business reporter
Ghetto imagesUS prosecutors have accused 12 Chinese citizens of being part of an alleged hacking scheme that has sold data on US -based dissidents of the Chinese government.
The “state -sponsored operation” is also aimed at government agencies, including the Ministry of Finance, according to the Ministry of Justice (DOJ).
Hackers are said to have focused on an American religious organization and a Hong Kong newspaper, the statement is added.
China did not respond to these specific allegations, but in the past categorically denied other accusations.
In December, the Ministry of Finance reports a “big” violation From Chinese -assured hackers, saying they have access to employee workstations and some unclassified documents.
At that time, China denied any participation, calling the prosecution “unfounded” and said “consistently opposed all forms of hacking.”
It is unclear when the latest DOJ allegations were issued – but they were printed in a Federal Court in Manhattan on Wednesday.
Who is accused?
Among the accused were two employees of the Ministry of Public Security of China.
Doj said the hackers that seem to be a private company, I-Soon, charge Chinese agencies between $ 10,000 and $ 75,000 for each “operated” mail mail.
They are said to have “conducted computer penetrations” under the guidance of Chinese ministries and on their own initiative and were “paid beautifully for stolen data”.
“Today, we expose the Chinese government agents to guide and encourage indiscriminate and reckless attacks against computers and networks around the world,” said Sue Ji Bai, who heads the DOJ National Security Department.
“We will continue to fight for the dismantling of this ecosystem from cyber mercenaries and protect our national security,” she added.
Who was directed?
No further details were provided on the target dissidents based in the United States.
The religious organization affected by the hackers was described as the one that “previously sent missionaries to China and was found critical of the PRC government.” The PRC is short for the People's Republic of China.
The list was also a newspaper in Hong Kong. Although not stated, the statement states that “it is considered against the PRC government.”
In addition to US agencies, it is said that hackers have directed the foreign ministries of Taiwan, India, South Korea and Indonesia.
Last October FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said hacks aimed at two major US presidential campaigns have been carried out by “Actors related to the People's Republic of China”S
Earlier last year, Seven Chinese citizens are charged With a hacker operation, which lasted at least 14 years and headed for China's foreign critics.
Operations related to Western governments with China are also aimed at the United Kingdom Election Commission and the United Kingdom parliaments and New Zealand.
As part of its long-standing awards program, the US Department of State said it offers up to $ 10 million for information about I-Soon, its employees and Chinese employees “have participated in malicious cyber activities underlined in the Ministry of Justice.”