The US Department of Justice and FBI disclosed on Monday that millions of Americans' online accounts were ensnared in a "sinister" Chinese hacking scheme, targeting US officials and critical infrastructure.
Seven Chinese nationals have been charged in connection with a sophisticated cyber-attack campaign spanning a staggering 14 years.
The US State Department had put up a hefty reward of up to $10 million (£8 million) for any valuable information leading to the apprehension of the seven individuals implicated in the cyber-attack saga.
The accused individuals stand accused of planning a far-reaching hacking operation with ties to the Chinese government, targeting US and foreign critics of China, businesses, politicians, and even dissidents globally.
According to the Justice Department, the hackers deployed over 10,000 malicious emails, impacting thousands of victims across multiple continents, in what authorities describe as a "prolific global hacking operation."
FBI Director Christopher Wray condemned China's relentless efforts to undermine US cybersecurity and vowed unwavering pursuit of those who threaten the nation's security and prosperity.
"Today's announcement exposes China's continuous and brash efforts to undermine our nation's cybersecurity and target Americans and our innovation," FBI Director Christopher Wray said.
"As long as China continues to target the US and our partners, the FBI will continue to send a clear message that cyber espionage will not be tolerated, and we will tirelessly pursue those who threaten our nation's security and prosperity," he added.
The Justice Department's charges follow similar accusations levelled by the United Kingdom government against China for "malicious cyber campaigns" targeting the UK's Electoral Commission and politicians.
Diplomatic tensions escalated as Chinese embassy diplomats in London vehemently denied the accusations, labelling them as "completely fabricated and malicious slanders."
New Zealand also reported targeting of its parliamentary network by China-backed hackers.
According to US prosecutors, the hacking operation resulted in the compromise of work accounts, personal emails, online storage, and telephone call records.
The accused hackers utilised deceptive tactics, sending emails disguised as communications from prominent news outlets or journalists, containing hidden tracking links. Opening these emails exposed victims' information, enabling further targeted hacking endeavours.
The cyber-attack extended beyond government officials to include US companies, notably defence contractors and a leading provider of 5G network equipment.
The Justice Department highlighted the profound impact of these breaches on various industries, including defence, information technology, telecommunications, finance, and research.
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