US Charges Four in Illegal Nvidia AI Chip Export Scheme to China
Two US citizens and two Chinese nationals have been arrested for allegedly conspiring to illegally export advanced Nvidia AI chips to China, violating US export controls. The Justice Department is seeking forfeiture of 50 Nvidia H200 GPUs intended for unlawful export.
Key Takeaways
- Four individuals charged with illegal export of Nvidia AI chips to China
- Scheme involved falsifying documents and using front companies
- 400 Nvidia A100 GPUs successfully exported before investigation
- Over $3.89 million in funding received from China
Defendants and Arrest Details
The accused include American citizens Hon Ning Ho (34, Tampa) and Brian Curtis Raymond (46, Huntsville), along with Chinese nationals Cham Li (38, San Leandro) and Jing Chen (45, Tampa). Arrests were made on November 19, 2025, with appearances in Florida and Alabama courts.
Notably, Raymond was briefly the CTO of Virginia-based AI cloud computing company Corvex, which has since distanced itself from the case. Corvex stated Raymond was transitioning from consultant to employee but the offer was rescinded after the indictment.
Scheme Details and Methods
According to the indictment, the conspiracy operated from September 2023 to November 2025, using Janford Realtor, LLC as a front company to purchase and export controlled GPUs through Malaysia and Thailand. Despite its name, the company never engaged in real estate transactions.
Raymond supplied Nvidia GPUs through his Alabama-based electronics company while the group received over $3.89 million in wire transfers from China to fund the operation.
Export Attempts and Disruptions
The conspiracy involved four separate export attempts:
- 400 Nvidia A100 GPUs successfully exported between October 2024 and January 2025
- Two additional attempts disrupted by law enforcement involving 10 HPE supercomputers with Nvidia H100 GPUs and 50 Nvidia H200 GPUs
None of the conspirators sought or obtained required export licenses, instead falsifying paperwork about the intended destinations.
Official Statements
“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,” said John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security.
“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.”
Background: China’s AI Ambitions
The indictment notes China aims to become the world leader in AI by 2030, seeking advanced US technology including Nvidia GPUs for military modernization, weapons of mass destruction design, and advanced surveillance tools. US export controls on these technologies were implemented in October 2022 to protect national security.
