# US indictment of Mabna Institute for cyber espionage > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-indictment-of-mabna-institute-for-cyber-espionage > Updated: 2026-08-20T20:30:19.000Z. Sources: 28. Developments: 2. The U.S. Department of Justice has unsealed an indictment charging 17 individuals associated with the Iran-based Mabna Institute for a massive cyber espionage campaign. Operating from at least 2013 through 2017, the group allegedly acted on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and other Iranian government entities. The campaign targeted over 100,000 professor email accounts, successfully breaching approximately 8,000. The operation compromised 144 U.S. universities and 178 international institutions, including entities in Canada, China, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The attackers reportedly stole roughly 31.5 terabytes of data, including scientific research, dissertations, and intellectual property, which was then resold through websites like Megapaper.ir and Gigapaper.ir. Beyond academic theft, the indictment includes allegations of an attempt to extort $6 million in Bitcoin from HBO. In response to the campaign, the U.S. State Department has offered up to $10 million in rewards for information leading to the location of five specific fugitives. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-20: U.S. DOJ charges 17 Iranians in massive cyber espionage campaign The DOJ has charged 17 Iranians linked to the Mabna Institute for a massive cyber espionage campaign that stole 31.5TB of research data from hundreds of global universities and attempted to extort HBO. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-doj-charges-17-iranians-in-massive-cyber-espionage-campaign ### 2026-08-18: Mabna Institute: US charges 17 Iranians in massive cyber theft campaign The US has charged 17 Iranians linked to the Mabna Institute for a massive cyber theft campaign targeting hundreds of universities and companies to steal 31.5 terabytes of research and intellectual property. 25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-targets-iranian-hackers-with-10m-reward-and-criminal-charges --- Cite as: US indictment of Mabna Institute for cyber espionage. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-indictment-of-mabna-institute-for-cyber-espionage