US authorities have arrested four individuals, including the former CTO-designate of an AI firm, for allegedly exporting restricted Nvidia GPUs to China in violation of U.S. export controls.
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the defendants used falsified paperwork, shell companies and deceptive shipping practices to move high-end GPUs to the PRC. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said,
“The indictment unsealed yesterday alleges a deliberate and deceptive effort to transship controlled NVIDIA GPUs to China by falsifying paperwork, creating fake contracts, and misleading U.S. authorities.” He added, “The National Security Division is committed to disrupting these kinds of black markets of sensitive U.S. technologies and holding accountable those who participate in this illicit trade.”
The seized hardware reportedly included Nvidia A100 and H100 GPUs, and federal prosecutors said they will seek forfeiture of 50 Nvidia H200 GPUs that were intended for unlawful export. The indictment alleges the scheme generated more than $3.89 million in wire transfers from China.
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Those charged are Hon Ning Ho (aka “Mathew Ho”), Brian Curtis Raymond, Cham Li (aka “Tony Li”) and Jing Chen (aka “Harry Chen”). Raymond was briefly listed as CTO on Corvex’s leadership page; Corvex told CNBC. It “had no part in the activities cited in the Department of Justice’s indictment,” and that “the person in question is not an employee of Corvex. Previously a consultant to the company, he was transitioning into an employee role but that offer has been rescinded.”
U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida said, “Thanks to the dedicated investigative work by our law enforcement partners, these defendants who wrongfully exported this sensitive technology are facing justice.”
Investigators say the conspirators shipped 400 Nvidia A100 GPUs to China between October 2024 and January 2025, and that attempts to move additional systems and 50 H200 chips were interrupted by law enforcement. Authorities said none of the exports had the required licenses and that shipments were misdeclared to conceal their destination.
The case highlights heightened U.S. controls on semiconductor exports and the national‑security concerns driving restrictions on high‑performance AI chips.
