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China-Based Hackers Hit With Sanctions and Indictments Over Cyber Attacks. ABC reports that the United States has sanctioned hackers based in China over alleged attacks on critical U.S. infrastructure. According to the U.S. Treasury Department, a state-sponsored front company has provided cover for multiple cyber attacks on U.S. infrastructure. Sanctions by the U.S. and the United Kingdom have targeted representatives of Wuhan Xiaoruizhi Science and Technology Company Ltd. (Wuhan XRZ). The U.S. Treasury Department alleges that Wuhan XRZ acts as a China-based Ministry of State Security (MSS) front company. ABC reports that the allegations include malicious cyber operations that include the 2020 spear phishing operation against the U.S. Naval Academy. On March 25, the U.S. Justice Department indicted seven individuals on charges stemming from their alleged involvement with these malicious operations. "The Justice Department will not tolerate efforts by the Chinese government to intimidate Americans who serve the public, silence the dissidents who are protected by American laws, or steal from American businesses." "This case serves as a reminder of the ends to which the Chinese government is willing to go to target and intimidate its critics, including launching malicious cyber operations aimed at threatening the national security of the United States and our allies.", Merrick Garland, Attorney General statement, via ABC. ABC reports that court documents show that the hackers targeted politicians and other prominent officials with "tracking links". Court documents, via ABC. "The Conspirators used this method to enable more direct and sophisticated targeting of recipients' home routers and other electronic devices, including those of high-ranking U.S. government officials and politicians and election campaign staff from both major U.S. political parties.", Court documents, via ABC. THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT