Key facts
- 17 alleged Iranian hackers from the Mabna Institute have been charged by U.S. prosecutors.
- The group is accused of a cyber campaign that included an attempt to extort HBO for $6 million in Bitcoin.
- The Mabna Institute allegedly stole over 31 terabytes of academic data and intellectual property.
- The targets included hundreds of universities, dozens of companies, and at least five government agencies.
- The State Department is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information on the defendants.
U.S. prosecutors have charged 17 alleged Iranian hackers associated with the Mabna Institute for their involvement in a wide-ranging cyber campaign. This campaign included the 2017 hack of HBO, during which the hackers attempted to extort the company for approximately $6 million in Bitcoin.
The indictment details a years-long effort by the Mabna Institute, which allegedly operated on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other Iranian government and university clients. The group is accused of stealing over 31 terabytes of academic data and intellectual property from hundreds of U.S. and international universities, dozens of companies, and at least five government agencies.
Five of the defendants—Saeid Houshyar, Manouchehr Hashemloo, Keyvan Fayaz, Saber Shahbazi Ballojeh, and Arman Kahzadian—were specifically named as being directly involved in the HBO hack. Behzad Mesri, who was previously charged in connection with the HBO breach, is also mentioned.
The State Department's Rewards for Justice program is offering up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest of the defendants. U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald stated that the charges reveal a broader network behind a state-sponsored campaign to steal intellectual property.