A Hair Dryer Blows Open the World's Largest Nvidia Chip Smuggling Case
A co-founder and senior executive of Supermicro, Wally Liaw, has been arrested in California for orchestrating the largest AI chip smuggling case in history, involving $2.5 billion worth of Nvidia GPUs destined for China. The scheme involved using a Southeast Asian shell company to purchase servers under the guise of legitimate use, then repackaging them for illegal shipment to China. To deceive auditors, the group created counterfeit servers with real serial numbers transferred using a hairdryer. Liaw, who faces up to 20 years in prison, accelerated operations ahead of new U.S. export restrictions in May 2025. The case highlights the persistent demand for Nvidia chips in China, where black market prices are 50% higher, and the evolving sophistication of smuggling networks, from individual couriers to corporate insiders.
比推03/20 12:43
