Three Iranians working as engineers in Silicon Valley were charged with stealing sensitive trade secrets from leading US technology firms and transferring confidential data to unauthorized locations, including Iran, US authorities said on Thursday.
A federal grand jury in the Northern District of California indicted Samaneh Ghandali, 41, Mohammadjavad Khosravi, 40, and Soroor Ghandali, 32, on counts including conspiracy to commit trade secret theft, theft and attempted theft of trade secrets, and obstruction of justice. The three, all residents of San Jose, were arrested and made initial court appearances on Thursday.
According to the indictment, the defendants gained employment at major technology companies involved in developing mobile computer processors. Samaneh Ghandali and her sister Soroor Ghandali worked at Google before moving to another firm identified as Company 3, while Khosravi, who is married to Samaneh Ghandali, worked at a separate company identified as Company 2.
Prosecutors allege the defendants used their positions to access confidential information, including trade secrets related to processor security and cryptography. The indictment says they transferred hundreds of sensitive files to unauthorized third-party platforms, personal devices, and work devices linked to each other’s employers, as well as to Iran.
“As alleged, the defendants exploited their positions to steal confidential trade secrets from their employers,” United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian said. “Our office will continue to lead the way in protecting American innovation and we will vigorously prosecute individuals who steal sensitive advanced technologies for improper gain or to benefit countries that wish us ill.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani described the alleged conduct as a “calculated betrayal of trust,” saying the defendants took deliberate steps to evade detection, including submitting false affidavits and manually photographing computer screens to avoid digital tracking.
The indictment also details travel to Iran in December 2023, when prosecutors say some of the exfiltrated material was accessed from a personal device.
If convicted, each defendant faces up to 10 years in prison for each trade secret-related count and up to 20 years for obstruction of justice.
