The Mabna Institute charges accuse 17 Iranian nationals of taking part in a years-long campaign to steal academic research, intellectual property and email account data. US prosecutors allege that the group targeted organisations in the United States and several other countries.
A 14-count superseding indictment states that the Mabna Institute began operating in 2013. Prosecutors say the alleged campaign continued until at least December 2017 and served Iranian universities, research bodies and government interests.
The case concerns the alleged theft of 31.5TB of academic data and intellectual property, along with about 8,000 email accounts.
Prosecutors allege widespread theft of research data
According to the indictment, the accused group targeted universities, private companies, government agencies and non-governmental organisations. The victims included institutions in the United States and countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Oceania.
The alleged intrusions affected more than 100,000 professor accounts. Prosecutors say the attackers compromised roughly 8,000 accounts belonging to employees at companies, public agencies and other organisations.
The stolen material reportedly included scientific research and intellectual property. Such information can carry significant commercial, economic and national-security value, particularly when it concerns advanced research programmes.
The Mabna Institute charges describe an organised effort to obtain non-Iranian academic and scientific data rather than isolated cybercrime activity.
Indictment links campaign to Iranian state interests
US authorities allege that the Mabna Institute operated on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, also known as the IRGC. The indictment says the group obtained stolen research and credentials for Iranian government-connected clients.
Prosecutors also allege that the defendants sold stolen information through two websites controlled by one of the accused hackers. The alleged campaign therefore combined state-linked intelligence collection with commercial activity involving compromised data.
Some people named in the case were also allegedly involved in an unsuccessful attempt to extort HBO. That incident involved a demand for bitcoin valued at about $6 million.
The charges remain allegations, and the accused individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
US offers rewards for five accused hackers
The US government is offering rewards of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest of five people named in the case. The rewards apply to Behzad Mesri, Mojtaba Ghal’eh-Kuhi, Arman Kahzadian, Keyvan Fayaz Ghareh Blagh and Saber Shahbazi Ballojeh.
The reward offers form part of the government’s effort to identify and arrest people accused of conducting state-linked cyber operations against US and allied organisations.
Officials said cyber theft can directly affect economic competitiveness and national security. The case also signals continued efforts to pursue alleged hackers who operate outside US jurisdiction.
Conclusion
The Mabna Institute charges outline a large alleged cyber theft operation involving research data, intellectual property and thousands of email accounts. The case highlights the enduring risk that universities, public bodies and private organisations face from state-linked espionage campaigns.
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