Secret Service: Chinese Hackers Stole Millions in Coronavirus Benefits

The Secret Service recently disclosed that hackers linked to the Chinese Communist Party stole at least $20 million in coronavirus relief benefits.

While it is known that theft of state unemployment funds related to the Chinese coronavirus was committed, this is the first time the U.S. government has publicly acknowledged that thievery was also committed by foreign, state-sponsored cybercriminals, according to a report by NBC News.

The Secret Service said that Small Business Administration loans and unemployment insurance funds experienced theft of taxpayer funds in over a dozen states. Law enforcement and cybersecurity experts added that the theft committed by this hacking group — known as APT41 — may be the tip of the iceberg.

“It would be crazy to think this group didn’t target all 50 states,” Roy Dotson, national pandemic fraud recovery coordinator for the Secret Service, told NBC News.

The Secret Service added that there are more than 1,000 ongoing investigations involving transnational and domestic criminals defrauding taxpayer funds and that APT41 is “a notable player.” – READ MORE