Big Tech vs. US Sanctions: A Mixed Bag

The Ghost in the Machine: How a Sanctioned Cybercriminal Still Holds Sway Over Big Tech **Did you know a sanctioned Chinese national, responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars in crypto scams, continues to operate accounts on Facebook, PayPal, and GitHub?** This isn't a theoretical threat; it's happening *right now*. And the implications are far-reaching. This isn't just another tech story; it's a nail-biting thriller where the villain is winning. Get ready to dive into the shadowy world of cybercrime and see how one man's sophisticated operation continues to thrive despite US government sanctions. The $200 Million Scam That Won't Quit In May 2025, the US government slapped sanctions on Liu "Steve" Lizhi, a 40-year-old Chinese national, for running Funnull Technology Inc. This Philippines-based company? It's the alleged mastermind behind a massive "pig butchering" scam, funneling over **$200 million** from unsuspecting Americans into the digital abyss. Think sophisticated phishing, fake investment opportunities, and heartbreaking financial ruin. Funnull, acting as a content delivery network (CDN), cleverly routed this criminal traffic through unsuspecting US cloud providers. The Treasury Department's announcement felt like a victory. But was it? Big Tech's Blind Spot: Sanctions Ignored? While it's illegal for US companies to transact with sanctioned individuals, Lizhi's case reveals a shocking truth: Big Tech isn't always playing by the rules. Despite the sanctions, Lizhi maintained a surprisingly robust online presence. Imagine this: A LinkedIn profile boasting hundreds of followers (conveniently confirming his birthday!), a PayPal account under his alias "nicelizhi," and even a Twitter/X account – all still active! This wasn't just a few rogue accounts; this was a carefully cultivated network operating in plain sight. The Silent Push: Exposing the Tech Giants' Complicity
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Security firm Silent Push blew the whistle, highlighting Lizhi's continued operation of numerous accounts on Facebook, including a private account and a tourism page for Ganzhou, China (also named in the sanctions). Their report dropped like a bombshell, forcing Big Tech to finally acknowledge the problem. **But the question remains: How did this happen? And more importantly, what's the bigger picture?** GitHub's Paradox: Open Source, Sanctioned Access The story takes a twist with GitHub. While they admit to a process for handling sanctioned accounts, Lizhi's accounts – including one under the alias "XXL4" – remained accessible, albeit “locked.” GitHub's policy aims to balance legal compliance with support for open-source developers, but the lack of clear warning flags raises serious questions about risk management. Could this be a loophole exploited by cybercriminals? A Former Prosecutor Weighs In Mark Rasch, a former federal cybercrime prosecutor, points to a disparity in how financial institutions and tech companies handle sanctions. Banks have robust systems, but tech companies – especially for free accounts – often lag behind. The potential liability for these tech giants is significant, but enforcement remains a critical hurdle. **The suspense builds. What will Big Tech do next? And what are the long-term consequences of this blatant disregard for sanctions?** Funnull's Evolving Tactics: A Game of Cat and Mouse Following the sanctions, Funnull’s operations didn't simply vanish; they adapted. This is no amateur operation. Funnull’s use of Domain Generation Algorithms (DGAs) – generating countless website names – and supply chain attacks (like their takeover of polyfill[.]io) demonstrate their sophisticated capabilities and unwavering determination. **Will authorities finally close the net on Lizhi and Funnull? Or will this digital ghost continue to haunt the tech landscape?**
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*(This revised text incorporates SEO keywords like "pig butchering scam," "cybercrime," "sanctions," "Liu Lizhi," "Funnull," "GitHub," "Facebook," "PayPal," "content delivery network (CDN)," and "Domain Generation Algorithms (DGAs)" naturally within the context.)*

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