U.S. uncovers scheme to reroute Nvidia GPUs worth $160 million to China despite export bans

Core Points - U.S. authorities have shut down a China-linked smuggling network trafficking over $160 million in Nvidia AI chips [1][2] - The operation, named "Operation Gatekeeper," aims to restrict China's access to advanced AI technologies [2] - Two businessmen were arrested, and a Houston-based company has pleaded guilty to chip smuggling [1][3] Company Summary - Alan Hao Hsu and his company, Hao Global LLC, pleaded guilty to smuggling Nvidia H100 and H200 GPUs, which require special licenses for export to China [3][4] - Hsu's operation involved falsifying shipping documents to misclassify GPUs and conceal their destinations [4] - Nvidia stated that export controls are stringent, and even older generation products face strict scrutiny [5] Financial Implications - The smuggling operation involved at least $160 million worth of Nvidia GPUs exported or attempted to be exported between October 2024 and May 2025 [3] - Investigators traced over $50 million in funds from China that supported Hsu's smuggling scheme [4] - Hsu faces up to 10 years in prison, while Hao Global may incur fines up to twice its illicit gains [4]