According to NBC News, which cited the nation's Secret Service, Chinese hackers stole at least $20 million (approximately Rs. 165 crore) in US Covid assistance payments, including loans from the Small Business Administration and unemployment insurance money. APT41, a hacker collective with ties to the Chinese government, is situated in Chengdu. According to the report, additional federal investigations into pandemic fraud also appear to link hackers to foreign states.
According to Roy Dotson, national pandemic fraud recovery coordinator for the Secret Service, "It would be foolish to suppose this gang didn't target all 50 states."
The breadth of additional investigations was not confirmed by the US Secret Service.
APT41 is "a significant player," according to NBC news, in the more than 1,000 ongoing investigations into domestic and foreign criminal actors scamming public assistance programmes.
The number of examples of Chinese espionage in the US has increased recently.
13 people, including agents and members of China's security and intelligence apparatus, were accused by the US government last month in three different cases for allegedly trying to improperly influence American politics in favour of their country.
"As these instances show, the Chinese government aimed to restrict the freedoms and rights of people living in the United States and to weaken the rule of law, which upholds such freedoms. They were unsuccessful "said US Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, as cited in a news release from the Justice Department.
"The Justice Department will not put up with any attempts by a foreign force to erode the Rule of Law, which is the cornerstone of our democracy. The rights that are granted to everyone in our country will continue to be zealously protected. Additionally, we'll protect our institutions' credibility "Garland threw in.
Seven Chinese nationals were accused of taking part in a plot to forcibly extradite a PRC person living in the US; two of them were detained on October 20 in New York.
In an international extralegal repatriation operation known as "Operation Fox Hunt," the defendants are charged with spying on, harassing, and forcing a US resident to go back to Beijing.
