The years-long saga involving a controversial global mobile telecom giant just got more heated.
Two alleged spies from China were charged in a press conference on Monday. According to the DOJ brief, Chinese intelligence officers tried to obstruct an ongoing criminal investigation of a "global telecommunications company" based in China.
CNN as well as other news outlets have confirmed that the company in question is the China-basedHuawei. In order to facilitate China's ability to spy on governments, business competitors, and other users throughout the world, the telecommunications company has provided back doors in their mobile devices. Due to security concerns, the U.S. has restricted the ability of the Chinese company to conduct business in the country.
The two alleged spies began to cultivate a relationship with an employee of a U.S. law enforcement agency in order to get information regarding evidence, witnesses, and potential charges in a criminal case against the Chinese company. The U.S. government employee was paid tens of thousands of dollars in the virtual currency. The most recent transaction occurred just this month, with $61,000 paid by the spies.
The spies didn't know that their contact was a double agent for the entire time they were there.
In an effort to show how serious the U.S. is about this issue, Monday's press conference included the biggest names within the DOJ. Before the details were released, the press conference was supposed to be about a national security issue.
Some internet users latched onto her use of the phrase "Team America" while discussing the double agent during the press conference. The 2004 comedy film "Team America" was written and directed by South Park creators.
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The DOJ has charged Chinese nationals who tried to force a dissident back to China, as well as another case involving China.
Each speaker at the press conference insisted that they refer to China as the People's Republic of China. The FBI Director pointed out that the issue is with the Chinese government.
He said that the quarrel was with the Chinese government.
At this time, it's not clear what the relationship was with the spies. There is an allegation of involvement from a director at the China-based company.
They are both at large.
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