Chinese national in custody for allegedly hacking into Boeing computer

Reporting from San Francisco —  A Chinese national has been indicted in connection with an alleged computer hacking scheme to steal trade secrets from American defense contractors, federal prosecutors announced Friday.

Among the targeted contractors, authorities said, was Boeing, which assembles the military’s C-17 transport aircraft in Long Beach.

Prosecutors are alleging that Su Bin, a 49-year-old businessman, conspired with two others who haven’t been indicted and are based in China. The three allegedly worked together to break into computer systems and steal confidential information about military programs.

Among there targets, prosecutors said, were the C-17, and the F-22 and F-35 fighter jets.

Unlike other recent Chinese nationals who have been charged with hacking, Bin, who also used the names Stephen Su and Steven Subin, is in custody and is being held in Canada.

The five-count grand jury indictment that names him was returned Thursday afternoon.

He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison.

The investigation was handled jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.

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