The person at the center of this case
QIAN Chuan (defendant/suspect)
Cold Case · Open
5 years waiting · since 2020
QIAN CHUAN
Justice for QIAN Chuan (defendant/suspect) — the trail went cold in 2020, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1What is QIAN Chuan's current location and has he been apprehended or extradited?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2How many companies and networks were compromised through the supply chain attacks, and what sensitive data was exfiltrated?
💡
clue
Lead #3What specific ransomware variants were deployed and how much money was extorted from victims?
QIAN Chuan, a Chinese national employed by Chengdu 404 Network Technology Company, was indicted on August 11, 2020, for leading a sophisticated hacking operation targeting hundreds of companies worldwide across critical sectors including telecommunications, government, and defense. Working as part of the APT 41 (BARIUM) hacking group alongside co-conspirators FU Qiang and JIANG Lizhi, QIAN allegedly orchestrated supply chain attacks, deployed ransomware, and conducted extortion schemes affecting victims in multiple countries. The case remains significant as an ongoing investigation into transnational cybercrime, with QIAN's current whereabouts and the full scope of compromised networks still under active pursuit by federal authorities.
Case
#759
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
👤
person
Lead #4What are the current statuses and whereabouts of co-conspirators FU Qiang and JIANG Lizhi?
📍
location
Lead #5Beyond Chengdu, what other operational bases or safe houses did APT 41/BARIUM maintain?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Racketeering Conspiracy; Conspiracy; Identity Theft; Aggravated Identity Theft; Access Device Fraud; Obtaining Information by Unauthorized Access to Protected Computers; Intentionally Causing Damage to Protected Computers; Threatening to Damage a Protected Computer; Money Laundering Caution: QIAN Chuan is part of a Chinese hacking group known as APT 41 and BARIUM. On August 11, 2020, a Grand Jury in the District of Columbia returned an indictment against Chinese nationals QIAN Chuan, FU Qiang, and JIANG Lizhi on multiple charges including Racketeering Conspiracy; Conspiracy; Identity Theft; Aggravated Identity Theft; Access Device Fraud; Obtaining Information by Unauthorized Access to Protected Computers; Intentionally Causing Damage to Protected Computers; Threatening to Damage a Protected Computer; and Money Laundering.
These charges stem from their alleged unauthorized computer intrusions while employed by Chengdu 404 Network Technology Company. The defendants allegedly conducted supply chain attacks to gain unauthorized access to networks throughout the world, targeting hundreds of companies representing a broad array of industries to include: social media, telecommunications, government, defense, education, and manufacturing.
These victims included companies in Australia, Brazil, Germany, India, Japan and Sweden. The defendants allegedly targeted telecommunications providers in the United States, Australia, China (Tibet), Chile, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.
The defendants allegedly deployed ransomware attacks and demanded payments from victims. Remarks: QIAN Chuan has ties to Chengdu, China.
Timeline of Events
🕵️
2020-08-11
Grand Jury Indictment
A Grand Jury in the District of Columbia returned an indictment against QIAN Chuan, FU Qiang, and JIANG Lizhi on multiple charges including racketeering conspiracy, identity theft, unauthorized computer access, and money laundering.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:August 11, 2020
Last Updated:May 11, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:August 11, 2020
Last Updated:May 11, 2026