Silicon Valley engineers arrested, charged with Google trade secrets theft

Three Silicon Valley engineers were arrested and charged with stealing trade secrets from Google and other U.S. technology firms and transferring sensitive data to unauthorized locations, including Iran, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.

Samaneh Ghandali, 41, Soroor Ghandali, 32, and Mohammadjavad Khosravi, also known as Mohammad Khosravi, 40, all of San Jose, were arrested Thursday, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

A federal grand jury indicted the engineers on charges of conspiracy to commit trade secret theft, theft and attempted theft of trade secrets, and obstruction of justice.

“We have enhanced safeguards to protect our confidential information and immediately alerted law enforcement after discovering this incident,” Google spokesperson José Castañeda said in a statement to FOX Business. “Today’s indictments are an important step towards accountability and we’ll continue working to ensure our trade secrets remain secure.”

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Three Silicon Valley engineers were charged with stealing Google trade secrets and transferring sensitive data to unauthorized locations, including Iran, federal prosecutors said. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The defendants gained employment at technology companies focused on mobile computer processors, according to the indictment unsealed Thursday.

According to prosecutors, sisters Samaneh Ghandali and Soroor Ghandali worked at Google before moving to another technology company identified as “Company 3,” headquartered in Santa Clara, California. Khosravi, who is married to Samaneh Ghandali, worked at a separate company identified in the indictment as Company 2, headquartered in San Diego.

The DOJ alleges the defendants used their positions to access confidential and sensitive information as part of a scheme to steal trade secrets.

The defendants “exfiltrated confidential and sensitive documents, including trade secrets related to processor security and cryptography and other technologies, from Google and other technology companies to unauthorized third-party and personal locations, including to work devices associated with each other’s employers, and to Iran.” 

“As alleged, the defendants exploited their positions to steal confidential trade secrets from their employers,” United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian said in a statement. “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.”

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