Chinese hacker arrested for hacking into computers of US companies and Universities while allegedly working for Chinese technology company

April 30, 2026 - 17:31

A Chinese national has been extradited to the United States and appeared in a Houston federal court this week, facing charges for allegedly breaking into the computer networks of American businesses and academic institutions. The suspect, identified as Xu Zewei, is accused of conducting the cyber intrusions while working for a Chinese technology company.

Prosecutors have charged Xu with nine counts, including computer fraud and wire fraud. According to court documents, Xu and his co-conspirators targeted a range of victims, from small tech firms to major universities, stealing proprietary data and source code. The attacks reportedly spanned several years, with the stolen information being used to benefit the Chinese company that employed him.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between the US and China over intellectual property theft and state-sponsored cyber espionage. US officials claim that Xu's activities were not isolated but part of a broader pattern of economic espionage. If convicted, Xu faces significant prison time. The Department of Justice has not released details on the specific Chinese company involved, but the arrest signals a continued crackdown on cyber threats originating from abroad.