Ethical Hacking News
Former Google Engineers Indicted for Alleged Trade Secret Theft and Espionage
In a shocking turn of events, two former Google engineers and one of their husbands have been indicted by the US Department of Justice on charges of conspiracy to commit trade secret theft, theft of trade secrets, obstruction of justice, and other related offenses. The defendants, Samaneh Ghandali, her husband Mohammadjavad Khosravi, and her sister Soroor Ghandali, were allegedly involved in a sophisticated scheme to steal confidential information from Google and other technology companies, including the transfer of sensitive documents to unauthorized locations, such as Iran.
The US Department of Justice has indicted two former Google engineers and one of their husbands on charges of conspiracy to commit trade secret theft, theft of trade secrets, and obstruction of justice. The defendants allegedly stole confidential information from Google and other technology companies, including processor security and cryptography-related trade secrets. They concealed their actions by submitting false affidavits, destroying files, and taking photographs of screens instead of transferring documents. Each defendant faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of trade secret theft charges, and up to 20 years in prison for the obstruction of justice charge. The indictment highlights the ongoing threat of insider threats and corporate espionage in the tech industry and underscores the importance of robust security measures.
The US Department of Justice has announced the indictment of two former Google engineers and one of their husbands on charges of conspiracy to commit trade secret theft, theft of trade secrets, obstruction of justice, and other related offenses. The defendants, Samaneh Ghandali, her husband Mohammadjavad Khosravi, and her sister Soroor Ghandali, were allegedly involved in a sophisticated scheme to steal confidential information from Google and other technology companies.
According to the indictment, the defendants used their employment at Google to obtain access to confidential and sensitive information. They then exfiltrated this information to unauthorized third-party locations, including to work devices associated with each other's employers, and to Iran. The stolen documents included trade secrets related to processor security and cryptography, as well as other technologies.
The indictment alleges that Samaneh Ghandali transferred hundreds of files, including Google trade secrets, to a third-party communications platform, specifically to channels that had each of the defendant's first names. Soroor Ghandali is also alleged to have exfiltrated numerous Google-related files, which contained trade secrets, to the same channels while working for the company.
The defendants allegedly concealed their actions by submitting false, signed affidavits; destroying the exfiltrated files from electronic devices; and manually taking photographs of screens containing the documents' contents instead of transferring the documents using the messaging app. They also performed searches online and visited websites about deleting communications and other data, including queries related to the duration for which a cellular service provider kept "messages to print out for court."
The couple is alleged to have continued accessing Google trade secrets stored on their personal devices for purposes of manually photographing hundreds of computer screens of both Google's and Company 2's sensitive information for an unspecified duration that stretched for months.
If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of trade secret theft charges and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the count of obstruction of justice.
This indictment comes less than a month after another ex-Google engineer, Linwei Ding, was convicted in the US for stealing thousands of the company's confidential documents to build a startup in China. The cases highlight the ongoing threat of insider threats and corporate espionage, particularly in the tech industry, where sensitive information is often closely guarded.
The indictment also underscores the importance of robust security measures and the need for companies to take proactive steps to protect their trade secrets. Google has taken steps to enhance its safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future, including revoking access to company resources for employees who have been involved in suspicious activity.
In addition, the indictment raises questions about the role of Iranian nationals in corporate espionage and the potential connections between this case and other alleged espionage activities involving Iran. The US Department of Justice has not commented on the specific motivations behind the indictment or any potential links to other cases.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the indictment, it is clear that the defendants have put themselves at risk with their actions, which could potentially result in serious consequences if convicted. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive information, particularly in industries where national security and intellectual property are at stake.
Furthermore, the indictment highlights the need for companies to stay vigilant and proactive in protecting their trade secrets. This can involve implementing robust security measures, such as encryption, access controls, and monitoring systems, as well as providing regular training and education to employees on the importance of maintaining confidentiality.
In conclusion, the indictment of two former Google engineers and one of their husbands is a significant development that highlights the ongoing threat of insider threats and corporate espionage. The case underscores the importance of robust security measures and the need for companies to take proactive steps to protect their trade secrets. As the tech industry continues to evolve and grow, it is essential that companies prioritize the protection of sensitive information and maintain the highest standards of confidentiality and integrity.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Former-Google-Engineers-Indicted-for-Alleged-Trade-Secret-Theft-and-Espionage-A-Web-of-Deceit-and-Betrayal-ehn.shtml
https://thehackernews.com/2026/02/three-former-google-engineers-indicted.html
Published: Fri Feb 20 03:35:15 2026 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
