Italy Extradites Chinese Hacker Xu Zewei to US Over COVID Vaccine Research Theft
Italy has extradited Xu Zewei, a 34-year-old Chinese man, to the United States on charges he hacked into universities to steal COVID-19 vaccine research. US prosecutors say he committed wire fraud and identity theft between February 2020 and June 2021.
Italy sent Xu Zewei, a 34-year-old Chinese hacker, to face trial in the United States for allegedly stealing COVID-19 vaccine research from American universities.
Xu was arrested at Milan's Malpensa airport in July 2025 at the request of US authorities. Prosecutors say he hacked into university computer systems between February 2020 and June 2021, during the height of the pandemic when scientists were racing to develop vaccines.
The US has charged Xu with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Authorities say he was spying for the Chinese government, trying to steal valuable medical research that could give China an advantage in vaccine development.
This extradition marks a rare case where a suspected Chinese cyber-spy has been successfully transferred to US custody. The timing was critical because universities were conducting some of their most important vaccine research during the period Xu allegedly targeted.
This case shows how foreign governments tried to steal America's medical research during the pandemic. It could affect how universities and companies protect their scientific work from hackers in the future.
Xu will face trial in US federal court on the hacking and fraud charges.
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