A Chinese national accused of working with Beijing-backed hackers to steal COVID-19 research from American institutions has been extradited to the United States. Xu Zewei, 33, faces charges of computer fraud and conspiracy for allegedly infiltrating thousands of organizations, including hospitals and research labs, between 2020 and 2023.
Federal prosecutors in New York allege Xu was part of a state-sponsored group that targeted COVID-19 vaccine data and treatment protocols. The hackers compromised systems using phishing emails and malware, according to court filings. The stolen data was reportedly shared with Chinese research facilities, raising concerns about intellectual property theft during a global health crisis.
Xu’s extradition follows a years-long investigation by the FBI and Department of Justice. Prosecutors say the operation exposed vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, including hospitals and pharmaceutical companies. The case highlights tensions between Washington and Beijing over cyber espionage.
If convicted, Xu could face up to 20 years in prison. His defense team has not yet commented on the charges. The extradition comes amid a surge in cross-border cybercrime cases tied to state actors.
The US has previously indicted other Chinese nationals for similar offenses, including members of the APT41 hacking group. Analysts warn such attacks are likely to continue as nations compete for medical and technological dominance.
Source: techcrunch.com