- Chinese national Xu Zewei arrested in Italy for hacking a Texas university to steal COVID-19 research
- DOJ says hackers acted on behalf of China’s main spy agency to target vaccine and policy data
- Co-conspirator still at large as FBI vows to hold foreign cybercriminals accountable.
A Chinese spy accused of hacking into a Texas university to steal COVID-19 research has finally been arrested—nearly a year after being indicted in the U.S.
Xu Zewei, 33, a Chinese national, was taken into custody in Milan, Italy, last week at the request of U.S. officials. He now awaits extradition. Xu and another Chinese national, Zhang Yu, 44, were indicted in November 2023 for their roles in a global hacking scheme tied to the Chinese government. Zhang remains at large.
“Although Chinese state sponsored hackers are on occasion indicted by the Department of Justice, it is exceedingly rare, indeed is virtually unheard of, to actually get your hands on them,” said U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei. “Since 2023, the United States has waited quietly, patiently for Xu to make a mistake… He now awaits extradition to the United States.”
The hackers were allegedly working for China’s Ministry of State Security and its Shanghai bureau, carrying out cyberattacks from early 2020 through mid-2021—including the HAFNIUM campaign that targeted Microsoft Exchange systems worldwide.
They reportedly stole COVID-19 vaccine research from U.S. scientists and compromised a Texas university and a Washington, D.C. law firm, accessing sensitive data related to public health and U.S. policy.
“It is notable that the Chinese government directed theft of COVID-19 research… at a time when PRC officials were withholding information about the virus and its origin,” Ganjei said.
FBI Special Agent Douglas Williams added, “His landmark arrest… proves that we will scour the ends of the earth to hold criminal foreign adversaries accountable.”
Xu faces multiple federal charges including wire fraud and identity theft. Zhang Yu remains on the run. Anyone with tips is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.