Three Silicon Valley engineers have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiring to steal trade secrets from Google and other leading technology companies, and transferring sensitive data to unauthorized locations — including Iran.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California said Samaneh Ghandali, 41, Mohammadjavad Khosravi, also known as Mohammad Khosravi, 40, and Soroor Ghandali, 32 — all residents of San Jose — were arrested and made their initial appearances in federal district court in San Jose.
According to the indictment, unsealed this week, the three allegedly conspired to obtain and exfiltrate confidential information related to mobile processor security, cryptography and other advanced technologies from major Silicon Valley employers.
Samaneh and Soroor Ghandali, who are sisters, previously worked at Google before joining another technology firm identified in court filings as “Company 3.” Khosravi, who is married to Samaneh Ghandali, was employed at a separate firm referred to as “Company 2.”
Prosecutors allege that the defendants used their employment to access highly confidential information and then transferred trade secrets to unauthorized third-party platforms, personal devices, each other's work devices and, in some instances, to Iran.
The indictment claims that while employed at Google, Samaneh Ghandali transferred hundreds of files — including trade secrets — to a third-party communications platform, creating channels bearing the defendants' first names. Soroor Ghandali is also accused of transferring numerous Google files to the same channels.
Those materials were later copied to personal devices as well as to Khosravi's Company 2 work device and Soroor Ghandali's Company 3 work device, according to prosecutors.
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Alleged Efforts To Conceal Activity
Authorities allege that the defendants took deliberate steps to evade detection. These included submitting signed affidavits falsely denying the transfer of confidential information, destroying electronic records, and manually photographing sensitive data displayed on computer screens instead of transferring entire files electronically.
After Google's internal security systems flagged suspicious activity in August 2023 and revoked Samaneh Ghandali's access to company systems, she allegedly signed an affidavit stating she had not shared Google's confidential information outside the company.
The indictment further alleges that she and Khosravi searched online for information on deleting communications and how long mobile providers retain messages “to print out for court.” Investigators claim the couple continued accessing trade secrets stored on personal devices and manually photographed hundreds of screens containing confidential information from Google and Company 2.
On the eve of their December 2023 travel to Iran, Samaneh Ghandali allegedly captured approximately 24 photographs of Khosravi's work computer screen displaying Company 2 trade secrets. While in Iran, a personal device associated with her accessed those images, and Khosravi is accused of accessing additional Company 2 trade secret data.
Officials Vow To Protect US Innovation
“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,” said United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian.
“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,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani.
“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,” Virmani added.
Next Court Date And Possible Penalties
The defendants are scheduled to appear in district court on February 20, 2026, for identification of counsel before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan van Keulen.
An indictment contains allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
If convicted, each defendant faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of conspiracy to commit trade secret theft and theft or attempted theft of trade secrets. The obstruction of official proceedings charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
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 Californi,a following an investigation by the FBI.
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