Silicon Valley Engineers Charged With Stealing Trade Secrets From Google and Other Tech Companies

Three Silicon Valley engineers have been indicted for allegedly stealing confidential technology data from Google and other major companies and transferring that information to unauthorized locations, including Iran.

The defendants Samaneh Ghandali (41), Mohammadjavad “Mohammad” Khosravi (40), and Soroor Ghandali (32), all residents of San Jose, were arrested and appeared before a federal court in San Jose on Thursday.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California, the accused conspired to commit trade secret theft, attempted theft, and obstruction of justice.

Accused of Stealing Company Secrets

The individuals, who previously worked for major technology firms developing mobile computer processors, allegedly exploited their employment access to exfiltrate sensitive files related to processor security, encryption, and advanced cryptography.

Prosecutors stated that Samaneh and Soroor Ghandali, who are sisters, both worked at Google before joining different technology firms referred to in the indictment as Company 2 and Company 3.

Khosravi, Samaneh’s husband, was employed by another leading processor technology company.

The indictment alleges the trio transferred hundreds of confidential files from Google to private communication channels named after their first names.

These files reportedly contained Google trade secrets and were later copied to several personal and company-issued devices.

Data was allegedly exfiltrated using manual methods such as photographing computer screens to evade detection by digital monitoring systems.

When Google’s internal security systems flagged unusual activity in August 2023, the company revoked Samaneh Ghandali’s access.

Despite signing affidavits denying involvement, investigators later discovered that the defendants continued accessing stolen data and conducting online searches on how to delete or conceal digital evidence.

Before traveling to Iran in December 2023, Samaneh Ghandali allegedly photographed over two dozen screens displaying confidential data from Khosravi’s employer. Investigators found these images were later accessed from Iran.

The defendants face multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit trade secret theft under 18 U.S.C. § 1832 and obstruction of justice under 18 U.S.C. § 1512.

Each count of trade secret theft carries up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, while obstruction charges can lead to 20 years in prison plus additional fines, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

The FBI’s San Francisco Field Office led the investigation, in coordination with the National Security and Special Prosecutions Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The defendants are scheduled to return to court on February 20, 2026, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan van Keulen.

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