INDIANAPOLIS — A federal grand jury has indicted a Chinese national on charges stemming from a massive data breach of Indianapolis-based health insurer Anthem Inc.
According to a report from U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler's office, the Chinese national was part of a sophisticated hacking group operating in China and targeting large businesses in the United States.
The indictment alleges that Fujie Wang, 32, and other members of the hacking group gained access to the computer systems of Anthem and three other unnamed U.S. businesses. Beginning in February 2014, the group allegedly used sophisticated techniques to gain access to the computer system of the businesses and targeted data of interest, including personally identifiable information (PII) and confidential business information.
"The allegations in the indictment unsealed today outline the activities of a brazen China-based computer hacking group that committed one of the worst data breaches in history," Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski said. "These defendants allegedly attacked U.S. businesses operating in four distinct industry sectors, and violated the privacy of over 78 million people by stealing their PII. The Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners are committed to protecting PII, and will aggressively prosecute perpetrators of hacking schemes like this, wherever they occur."
According to the U.S. Attorney's office, the hackers stole the names, health identification numbers, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, employment information and income data from approximately 78.8 million people from Anthem's computer network.
Wang and a defendant charged as John Doe are charged with conspiracy to commit fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and two counts of intentional damage to a protected computer.
