U.S. Seizes Huione-Linked Cloud Infrastructure and Expands Sanctions
Summary
The DOJ seized cloud infrastructure used by Huione Guarantee. U.S. officials allege the marketplace helped move and conceal billions in fraud proceeds; Treasury also expanded sanctions on Huione-linked firms and Prince Group affiliates.
Key points
- The DOJ seized a cloud computing account that hosted backend infrastructure used by Huione Group subsidiaries.
- According to the DOJ, the account operated Huione Guarantee, also known as Haowang Guarantee.
- U.S. officials allege the network helped transfer and conceal billions in fraud proceeds, much of it stolen through Southeast Asian scam centers.
- Officials allege Huione Guarantee facilitated illicit goods and services, including stolen data and money laundering linked to scams.
- Treasury added H-Pay Service as a successor entity under its Huione Group rule and sanctioned nine people and 26 entities linked to Prince Group.
- The article says the DOJ previously announced a seizure of bitcoin valued at $15 billion from Prince Group chairman Chen Zhi, who was indicted over alleged cryptocurrency crimes.
Article Details
- Event Type
- U.S. Justice Department seizure of cloud infrastructure used by Huione Group subsidiaries, alongside Treasury sanctions targeting Huione-linked firms and Prince Group affiliates.
- Impact
- The seized account hosted backend infrastructure used to operate Huione Guarantee, also known as Haowang Guarantee. U.S. officials said the network helped transfer and conceal billions of dollars in fraud proceeds and alleged that the marketplace facilitated illicit goods and services and scam-related money laundering. Treasury also expanded sanctions, including adding H-Pay Service as a successor entity and sanctioning nine people and 26 entities linked to Prince Group.
People
Andrew Tysen DuvaAssistant attorney general of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; he described the seized account’s alleged role in moving and concealing fraud proceeds.Chen ZhiIdentified as Prince Group’s chairman; the article says the Justice Department indicted him over alleged cryptocurrency crimes and other schemes.
Threat Actors
Huione GroupU.S. officials said infrastructure used by Huione Group subsidiaries supported the movement and concealment of billions in fraud proceeds; Treasury described the group as a node for laundering proceeds of cyber heists and virtual-currency investment scams.Prince GroupTreasury said Huione Group was used by Prince Group to transfer and consolidate scam-derived assets; the article also reports that Prince Group chairman Chen Zhi was indicted over alleged cryptocurrency crimes and other schemes.