Three former engineers have been charged with stealing trade secrets from Google and other tech companies and sending them to Iran. The indictment was announced on Thursday by the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of California.
The three individuals, 41-year-old Samaneh Ghandali, her sister 32-year-old Soroor Ghandali, and 40-year-old Mohammadjavad Khosravi, were indicted by a federal grand jury. They were accused of stealing valuable information from their former employers and sending it to Iran, a country known for its aggressive cyber espionage activities.
According to the indictment, the Ghandali sisters and Khosravi were all former employees of different tech companies in the San Francisco Bay Area. Samaneh Ghandali and Khosravi worked at Google, while Soroor Ghandali was employed at a startup company. The three individuals allegedly accessed trade secrets and other confidential information from their respective companies and shared it with individuals in Iran.
The stolen information included details about proprietary technology, software, and other trade secrets that were crucial to the success of these companies. It is believed that the individuals had been gathering this information for several years before being discovered.
The indictment also stated that the three individuals were working on behalf of the Iranian government. They were allegedly recruited by a company based in Iran to obtain valuable information that could benefit the country’s technology sector. The company, which was not named in the indictment, promised the individuals financial rewards and other benefits in exchange for the stolen information.
The U.S. attorney for the Northern District of California, David L. Anderson, stated that the indictment sends a strong message to those who engage in economic espionage on behalf of foreign governments. He emphasized that the theft of trade secrets and other valuable information poses a significant threat to the U.S. economy and national security.
The three individuals have been charged with multiple counts of trade secret theft, conspiracy, and unauthorized access to a protected computer. If convicted, they could face up to 20 years in prison and hefty fines.
This case serves as a reminder of the growing threat of cyber espionage and the importance of protecting valuable trade secrets. Companies must take necessary precautions to safeguard their confidential information and educate their employees about the risks of sharing sensitive data.
In a statement, Google expressed its commitment to protecting its intellectual property and cooperating with law enforcement in this investigation. The company also stated that it has implemented strict security measures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
The indictment also highlights the need for stricter regulations and enforcement to deter individuals and foreign governments from engaging in economic espionage. It is crucial for the government and private sector to work together to combat this growing threat and protect the country’s economic interests.
Moreover, this case serves as a reminder that the U.S. is not the only target of cyber espionage. Many other countries, including China, Russia, and North Korea, have been known to engage in similar activities. It is essential for the international community to come together and address this issue collectively.
In conclusion, the indictment of these three former engineers is a significant step in the fight against economic espionage. It sends a strong message that such activities will not be tolerated, and those who engage in them will face severe consequences. It is now up to the justice system to ensure that justice is served, and the stolen trade secrets are returned to their rightful owners.
