The Department of Justice has charged nine Iranians with hacking into U.S. universities and government institutions.
The Iranian nationals stole more than 31 terabytes of documents and data from 144 American universities, 30 companies, five government agencies, as well as more than 176 universities in 21 foreign countries, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein alleged Friday.
JUST IN: Justice Department announces charges against nine Iranians accused of hacking into universities and government institutions to steal intellectual property @JuliaEAinsley reports pic.twitter.com/n0Yi60Q7Iv
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The hacking scheme, waged by affiliates of an Iranian-based company the Mabna Institute, reportedly dates back to 2013. Rosenstein charged that the culprits were acting on behalf of the Iranian government.
"For many of these intrusions, the defendants acted at the behest of the Iranian government and, specifically, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps," he said.