In what is unfolding as a significant breach of national security regulations, U.S. authorities have charged two American citizens and two Chinese nationals for attempting to illegally export sophisticated artificial intelligence technology to China. The individuals were allegedly part of a conspiracy to ship NVIDIA Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), which are central to AI applications and carry military significance, in violation of export controls.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, those arrested include U.S. citizens Hon Ning Ho, also known as "Mathew Ho," and Brian Curtis Raymond, along with PRC nationals Cham Li, or "Tony Li," and Jing Chen, known as "Harry Chen." The indictment specifies the PRC's ambitions to lead AI technology by 2030, leveraging it for military modernization and weapons of mass destruction, heightening the stakes of such illicit technology transfers.
From September 2023 to November 2025, the accused are suspected of maneuvering around stringent export controls set by the Department of Commerce by routing shipments through Malaysia and Thailand. For this purpose, they utilized a Florida-based company, Janford Realtor, LLC, as a facade to purchase and transfer controlled GPUs to China. The indictment elaborated that despite being aware of the licensing requirements for such exports to China, none of the participants sought or received the necessary approvals.
Investigative efforts by Homeland Security Investigations, alongside the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the Department of Commerce - Bureau of Industry and Security, led to the uncovering of the scheme. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe emphasized the merit of the operation, stating, “As demonstrated by this indictment, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida is firmly committed to safeguarding our country’s national security.” The accused face charges that could result in decades of imprisonment for conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, smuggling, and money laundering.
The case, showcasing deep international implications for the tech industry and national security, will be brought forward by the Assistant United States Attorneys of the Middle District of Florida and a Trial Attorney from the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
