Three engineers based in San Jose have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiring to steal trade secrets from Google and other technology firms, as well as obstruction of justice. The individuals—Samaneh Ghandali, 41; Mohammadjavad Khosravi (also known as Mohammad Khosravi), 40; and Soroor Ghandali, 32—were arrested and appeared in federal district court.
According to the indictment, Samaneh and Soroor Ghandali are sisters who previously worked at Google before joining another company referred to as Company 3. Khosravi, married to Samaneh Ghandali, was employed at Company 2. The defendants allegedly accessed confidential information about mobile computer processors and exfiltrated sensitive documents related to processor security and cryptography. The data was reportedly transferred to unauthorized locations, including personal devices, work devices associated with each other’s employers, and destinations outside the United States such as Iran.
United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian stated: “As alleged, the defendants exploited their positions to steal confidential trade secrets from their employers. Our office will continue to lead the way in protecting American innovation and we will vigorously prosecute individuals who steal sensitive advanced technologies for improper gain or to benefit countries that wish us ill.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani commented: “The alleged actions outlined in this indictment reflect a calculated betrayal of trust by individuals accused of stealing trade secrets from the very tech companies that employed them. According to the allegations, the method in which confidential data was transferred by the defendants involved deliberate steps to evade detection and conceal their identities.” He added: “Protecting Silicon Valley innovation and defending the groundbreaking technologies that drive our economy and national security is a top priority for the FBI. We will continue to work with our private sector partners to hold accountable anyone who seeks to unlawfully exploit American ingenuity.”
The indictment describes how both Samaneh and Soroor Ghandali used a third-party communications platform with channels named after each defendant’s first name to transfer hundreds of files containing Google’s trade secrets while working at Google. These files were later copied onto personal devices as well as work devices at other companies where they were employed.
Authorities allege that the three attempted to hide their activities by submitting false affidavits regarding their conduct, destroying electronic records, and using manual methods such as photographing screens instead of electronically transferring entire documents.
Following detection by Google’s internal security systems in August 2023—which led to revocation of Samaneh Ghandali’s access—she allegedly signed an affidavit denying sharing confidential information externally. Subsequently, she and Khosravi searched online for ways to delete communications data relevant for legal proceedings while continuing access to stored Google trade secrets on personal devices.
In December 2023, before traveling to Iran, Samaneh Ghandali is said to have taken photographs of Company 2’s trade secret information displayed on Khosravi’s work computer screen using her mobile phone. While in Iran, these photographs were accessed from a device associated with her.
The next court appearance for all three defendants is scheduled for February 20, 2026.
If convicted, each faces up to ten years in prison and fines up to $250,000 per count related to conspiracy or theft of trade secrets under U.S.C. §1832(a), with up to twenty years imprisonment possible for obstruction charges under U.S.C. §1512(c)(1). Sentencing would be determined according to federal guidelines if there is a conviction.
The case is being prosecuted by the National Security and Special Prosecutions Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California following an investigation conducted by the FBI.
