The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted 17 Iranians for coordinating an alleged massive cyber theft, infiltrating 144 U.S. universities, 178 foreign universities, 42 U.S. companies, 11 foreign companies, five government agencies, and two non-governmental organisations.

The DoJ said the suspects face a 14-count charge for carrying out a cyber theft campaign between 2013 and December 2017. 

Federal prosecutors alleged they stole more than 31 terabytes of data from these institutions, including academic data, intellectual property, and employees’ email accounts at companies and government agencies.

According to the DoJ, the campaign was launched on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other Iranian Entities.

Jamie McDonald, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said, “Today’s charges, which include eight additional defendants, reveal the broader network allegedly behind a sweeping, state-sponsored campaign to steal research and intellectual property from American universities, businesses, and government institutions.

“More than eight years after making the original indictment public, these charges make clear that the passage of time will not deter us from identifying and pursuing those who target the United States from abroad.

“Cyber operations have become a central instrument of national power, and attacks on American and allied institutions carry direct consequences for our security and economic strength. This office and our partners will continue to protect American innovation and pursue accountability for the individuals behind these attacks.”

Nine of the 17 defendants were charged with a similar offence in a seven-count indictment in 2018. 

The DoJ is also offering up to $10 million for any credible information on the location of five of the 17 defendants.