From Chips to Chains: Engineer’s Russian Rendezvous Lands Him in Dutch Jail
A former ASML and NXP engineer is trading his lab coat for prison stripes after sneaking secret chip technology to Russia. While prosecutors couldn’t pin the sale on him, they did sentence him to three years for hacking and violating EU sanctions. ASML and NXP are not amused, but the defendant might be “Signal”ing regret.
Hot Take:
Looks like this ex-engineer tried to play the semiconductor espionage game but ended up in a Dutch oven of trouble! Who knew that moonlighting as a secret agent for Russia could lead to a three-year vacation behind bars? That €40,000 payday seems less appealing now, doesn’t it, Mr. Aksenov?
Key Points:
- Ex-ASML and NXP engineer sentenced to three years for stealing chip secrets.
- The defendant, allegedly Russian national German Aksenov, shared tech secrets with Russia’s FSB.
- Prosecutors couldn’t prove Aksenov sold the files or that his earnings were linked to espionage.
- He used Signal, Telegram, and Google Drive to transfer files between May 2023 and August 2024.
- ASML remained tight-lipped, while NXP expressed satisfaction with the verdict.
Already a member? Log in here